Storm reports for July 20, 2012

On the afternoon of July 20, severe storms crossed eastern Washington in what the National Weather Service called one of the most widespread severe weather events in its Spokane forecast area. Winds blew down hundreds of trees, and Ferry and Okanogan counties were hit hardest.¹ In Keller, in Ferry County, several trees fell onto houses and caused significant damage.^2,3 Preliminary estimates in NOAA's Storm Events Database put damage to buildings and equipment at $570,000 in Ferry County and $419,000 in Okanogan County.¹ Around midday, hail up to 2.75 inches across fell at Summit in Nez Perce County, Idaho, and dented vehicles.^4,5

That evening, a line of storms hit the Lake Charles, Louisiana, area. An EF1 tornado tracked 8 to 9 miles from near Chennault airport, damaging multiple mobile homes and damaging or tearing off parts of roofs along Murbelle Road.⁶ Straight-line winds downed many trees and power lines across Lake Charles, Sulphur and Moss Bluff, dropping trees on homes and breaking a ship loose from its moorings at the port. Storm Events lists $900,000 in property damage for that report.⁷

Early on the morning of July 21, golf ball to baseball size hail caused extensive damage to the siding of houses in South Republic, Michigan.⁸