"I was born and raised in the Rappahannock County area and that's the worst I've ever seen it," said Danny Baldwin referring to the severe lightning storm and high winds that swept through the county late Wednesday afternoon, June 4.

Baldwin manages Walter Saunders' Turkey Run Farm in Woodville which seems to have been one of the worst hit spots in the area. All over Saunders farm, fences were maimed, trees uprooted, and cows crushed to death.

"One [cow] was struck by lightning...knocked it onto a fence. Another was alive, hollering under the trees [that fell on it], but it died later," Baldwin said of three cows killed as a result of the storm. Baldwin's wife, Bonnie, was around when they were removing trees from the animals.

"It smelled awful...I couldn't eat beef for a few days," she said.

Danny Baldwin saw the storm coming around 3:30 p.m. and rushed back to the barn with farm hand, Aaron Hawkins to seek shelter. They sought cover in the shower stall because no underground protection was available.

According to the Weather Channel, 3.14 inches of rain fell June 4 during the tornado watch, but the real cause of damage was the wind that accompanied it. In the surrounding Rappahannock area, some 10 roads, including Route 211, were closed in part due to fallen trees, downed power lines and other debris, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Gwen Hays of West Wind Farm in Castleton saw the storm actually raise her front patio up and then topple one of her trees onto her garage with cars inside. Fortunately, the cars were not damaged.

A lucky Woodville resident, Kevin Day, experienced a tree limb falling on his truck that was for sale. After the storm, he found the truck in working order and still plans to sell the vehicle. A tough truck for a mere $500 and it's yours.

Looking around Turkey Run Farm and Baldwin's inherited mess, it's hard to imagine how long it will take to clean up the 190-acre parcel. Baldwin said an appraiser who investigated the farm damage "it would cost $50,000 to $90,000 to fix the fence and everything."

Hopefully, this storm won't be challenged as the strongest to come through Rappahannock. However, considering how much rainfall already has come and the summer season about to begin, other Rappahannock residents may be telling similar tales before the season is over.