Hail, lightning deliver 1-2 punch in New Prague

Patrick Fisher and Chuck Kajer, The New Prague Times

Hail and lighting from a severe thunderstorm caused damage to vehicles and houses around the New Prague area Thursday morning, Aug. 24.

The storm struck around 9 a.m. on Thursday, developing rapidly in western Scott County, near Belle Plaine, and moving to the east. Two waves of hail struck the New Prague area, but the worst damage was in the Northfield area.

Another line of storms struck later that day, bringing tornadoes and high winds that damaged homes in southern Le Sueur County, especially in the Lake Emily area. Those storms struck about 6:30 p.m.

In New Prague, two homes in the area had lightning strikes on the morning of August 24 that had the New Prague Fire Department respond to possible fires. One house was on Teal Street where lightning caused an outlet to short out and blow out two light bulbs. Firefighters found no other damage at the home.

The other lightning strike was at the home of Fred and Ruth Roberts, 303 Third St. NW. Fred was in the basement when the lighting struck the home they've lived in for 41 years.

I heard a big pop and then the lights went out