Storm damage reported in OT County

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent 

Sheriff deputies, on May 7, reported that a controlled burn went out of control west of New York Mills near 510th Avenue. A fire spread to a nearby abandoned building.

The original fire spread due to strong winds. Several acres burned before the fire was contained by area fire departments.

Assisting sheriff deputies, mid-afternoon on May 7, were fire department personnel from New York Mills, Perham, Bluffton, Deer Creek, and Ottertail.

Cabin burglarized

A cabin near Lone Pine Road at Sybil Lake, southeast of Vergas, was reported on May 6 as burglarized during the winter months.

Several items, including electronics units and fishing equipment, were reported as missing. There were pry marks on the north entry door.

Storm damage covers wide area May 12

Storm damage was widespread in Otter Tail County Thursday evening, May 12. Especially hard hit were the communities and rural areas of Fergus Falls, Battle Lake, Dalton and Henning.

Damage included a flipped mobile home and damage to many sheds, docks, lifts, and boats. Trees fell over power lines and roadways. Several power outages were reported.

Straight line winds caused most of the damage, and fortunately only minor injuries were reported. Assisting sheriff deputies were fire crews from Fergus Falls, Rothsay, Elizabeth, Battle Lake, Dalton, Henning, Vining, Parkers Prairie and Perham.