Lightning strikes leave damages at state park

CHAMPION — Staff at a local state park are dealing with the after-math of lightning strikes to one of the camp sites on the grounds.

Lightning struck at least one tree on a occupied camp site at Van Riper State Park and left the campers having to deal with damages to their personal property.

Lead Ranger at Van Riper State Park Debra Gill says, “There was a lot of lightning that was going around I don’t know if some of it was heat lightning due to the temperature, but we did have one tree strike for sure. It came down on site nine. It ended up crushing part of a boat, it took the awning off a camper, and hit a pick-up.”

Reportedly there were no injuries. Gill says that power has returned to the park since this morning but the wells are still out of service. She says that means that campers who stayed last night and who will stay while the water is out will get a small discount.

“After everyone checks out this afternoon, we’ll probably have just under 30,” Gill added, “there are a few more coming in tonight, but everybody is getting the discounted, semi-modern rate, which would be as though the water was shut off.”

Gill says the state park has another big weekend on the way so they are trying to fix any problems as soon as possible.