The National Weather Service says straight line winds caused the damage in Effingham County over the weekend. Lifelong Dieterich resident Brian Hartke returned home Sunday to find his machine shed in pieces all over the field he grew up farming. "Mainly tin and debris from the roofs and things from our other place next door from the machine shed I think, limbs and what have you," said Hartke. Before Hartke can start re-planting his field from the storm's water damage, he'll have to replace and repair some of his equipment. "Whenever the doors of the machine shed blew in, it knocked some of the boxes off the planter and stuff that'll have to be replaced but nothing major I don't think. My machinery survived and is intact. When it dries I should be able to get back on it when I make the needed repairs," said Hartke. Dieterich Fire Chief Ross Martin says it's been a few years since a storm of this size has happened. "It has happened before. There's a little saying that if it's going to happen, it's going to happen in Dieterich. We've had this happen once before in the Southern part of the city. This is the first time it's happened on the north side," said Martin. Although the storm was unfortunate, Hartke says he's thankful for his community. "Neighbors have stopped in and offered help. We're very lucky to live where we do. We've got a lot of good neighbors, good people," said Hartke.
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