Hail, High Winds Batter Lake Wales Area After Warning

APRIL 27 - A powerful thunderstorm that descended on the Lake Wales area Wednesday night left many residents cleaning up fallen limbs and damp walls and floors. LakeWalesNews.net had shared a warning of the potential for a hailstorm only 12 hours before it struck.

The storm, which grew to severe proportions over the Green Swamp are of northern Polk County, dropped south down the Lake Wales Ridge, striking Haines City and Dundee before passing over Lake Wales with one-inch sized hailstones, intense lightning, and wind gusts estimated at 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Scattered reports of damage came in to LakeWalesNews.net as the storm progressed, Residents reported water intrusion, limbs down, and brief power outages. A canopy belonging to Taco Riendo, a food vendor at the Lake Wales Arts Center, was reportedly torn from its moorings and tossed into travel lanes on SR 60. Scattered damage to vehicles and fragile objects was also reported.

Thursday's weather is expected to be a bit calmer, but a chance for strong thunderstorms remains through the week.