Hail, strong winds hit county

By Brooks Taylor and Karyn Spory

Strong winds and hail was reported in Henry County Wednesday afternoon.

Henry County Emergency Management Director Walt Jackson said at 3:40 p.m. that he has not received any reports of tornadoes in the county.

Jackson said strong winds were reported in and near New London., and that there was hail in the Salem and Oakland Mills areas.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., a tornado warning ? extending until 3:30 p.m. ? was issued for Mt. Pleasant.

Students in the Mt. Pleasant Community School District were kept late Wednesday afternoon due to the weather.

?We didn?t want to put kids on buses and start bus routes with the potential danger of tornado and high winds,? said Superintendent John Henriksen.

Students were sent to the designated tornado shelters following the tornado warning alert around 2:30 p.m., where they stayed until dismissal at 4:10 p.m.

Parents were allowed to come to the school and pick up their children.

?We appreciate everybody?s patience. We will always error on the side of safety and be cautious,? Henriksen said, adding his gratitude to the parents, faculty and staff for their help and understanding.

Later, the National Weather Service extended the tornado warning until 4:15 p.m.

This report will be updated if any additional reports are received.