Windstorm wreaks havoc across county

This tree in Carl Miller Park was just one of many toppled by Tuesday's windstorm.

A major windstorm that blew Elmore County Tuesday night caused significant damage throughout the county.

A truck was blown over on I-84 at milepost 124 near Glenns Ferry. Two people in the vehicle were injured but details were still sketchy about the accident.

Dust blown up by the storm made driving conditions throughout the county hazardous.

Across the county trees were uprooted, limbs fell across roads and roofs, and a large number of houses lost shingles. The back porch of one man in northeast Mountain Home was ripped from his house and blown down.

Initial reports indicated Mountain Home suffered from sustained winds of 52 mph or better for nearly an hour, beginning shortly after 5 p.m., with gusts of up to 65 mph. In Glenns Ferry reports indicated gusts of up to 70 mph. Hurricane-force winds begin at 74 mph for a Category 1 storm.

A number of power outages were reported throughout the area, and in King Hill power was still out early Wednesday morning.

Insurance companies were flooded with phone calls reporting damage.

Power was restored to Hammett at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and to King Hill 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

Watch for more details in next week's Mountain Home News.