Bismarck, Hettinger, Mandan and New Salem were hit hard by Thursday night's storm as wind, hail and rain cut a swath through south central North Dakota, causing minor flooding, cutting electricity and damaging property.

Power went out through much of south Mandan between 8 and 8:30 p.m., according to Tammy Lapp-Harris, Morton County emergency manager, and wasn't restored until 1 or 2 a.m.

The Mandan Police and Morton County Sheriff's Department did encounter some issues communicating, Lapp-Harris said. "Extend America came over with a supply of cell phones that were pre-programmed and pre-charged for them to use."

New Salem also was hard hit with half-dollar-size hail and heavy rain, though winds weren't as strong, Lapp-Harris said. She had been in New Salem providing a training course on Thursday and was just beginning to return when the storm hit the small community about 30 miles east of Mandan.

"They had some serious hail and minor flooding," Lapp-Harris said. "While they didn't have a lot of wind, they did have a large rotation over the city which brought the rain and hail. There were lots of tree branches torn down, broken windows and some basement flooding. The sirens were going off."

Lapp-Harris doesn't expect a disaster declaration, as there just isn't enough damage to warrant it. Most of the damage will be covered by insurance.

"Those who don't have insurance and are looking for assistance should call Burleigh-Morton Red Cross at 223-6700," Lapp-Harris said. "If we find there are unmet needs, we'll do more looking for some sort of assistance."

Bismarck emergency manager Gary Stockert was compiling reports Friday morning, having tracked the storm via media reports Thursday night.

"Bismarck public works and the forestry department responded last night to clear roads. The primary areas that were hit included River Road north of the Interstate, north Grandview, Juniper, Avenue B near Cathedral church and Pioneer Park was hit hard," Stockert said.

Public Works' Rod Kudrna said there weren't a lot of trees down, but the worst area was on River Road. One of the biggest problems he was encountering were all the leaves on the ground, which was effectively plugging up storm sewers. The city was sending out street sweepers in sets of three to help clean up.

The city is asking residents not to sweep storm debris from yards and boulevards into the street. Storm debris will be collected by city crews, but it must be bagged, boxed, bundled or tied. Tree branches must be bundled and tied in lengths not exceeding 4 feet when placed out for collection. The debris will be picked up during normal collection days.

Stockert lives in northwest Mandan and, other than some rain and wind, he didn't see much of the storm's fury, much the same as in southwest Bismarck. "Other than the lights flickering a little, we didn't have much of a problem," he said.

Hettinger also saw extensive hail and wind damage, according to Adams County emergency manager Libby Gravning. During a 30-minute period, chunks of hail the size of baseballs and softballs hit the community. One woman sustained minor cuts when her car windshield was broken by hail.

"Every house and building that have windows on their north side appears to have broken windows," Gravning said.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)