Damage being assessed as tornado touched down in Prairieburg

Update 9:27 p.m.

Updated story with more photos from Prairieburg

Tornado tears through northern Linn County, hitting Prairieburg

Update 9:24 p.m.

A downed grain bin on the south side of town, where most of the damage seems to be. June 29, 2017

A downed grain bin on the south side of town, where most of the damage seems to be. #iawx pic.twitter.com/tHHC2ycG5l

— Michaela Ramm (@Michaela_Ramm)

The sheriff department lieutenant said clean up as likely to take all nightJune 29, 2017

The sheriff department lieutenant said clean up as likely to take all night

— Michaela Ramm (@Michaela_Ramm)

Looks like they might have opened the road into town, people and crews missing around June 29, 2017

Looks like they might have opened the road into town, people and crews missing around pic.twitter.com/Dad7Yl8WHv

— Michaela Ramm (@Michaela_Ramm)

Update 9:16 p.m.

Damage reported from Prairieburg

One woman was injured, several buildings were damaged, and downed power lines left much of the town dark after a tornado swept through the south part of Prairieburg Wednesday evening.

According to Lt.  Greg McGivern, with the Linn County Sheriff's Office, the woman received non-life-threatening injuries when her garage collapsed on her at her residence to the south of town in Prairieburg.

McGivern said Prairieburg had received the most damage from the tornado that originated near Central City and then headed northeast through Prairieburg. The tornado heavily damaged a grain elevator on the south side of town, knocked down power lines, and damaged several farm buildings as it continued its path out of town.

McGivern said that Prairieburg appeared to be the most heavily damaged area in Linn County from the tornado. McGivern said that power for much of the town was out, and Alliant Energy was on its way to help.

"It's going to be dark for awhile," McGivern said. "We're going to have as many cars in here lighting it up as possible."

As the tornado made its way out of town it also hit the farm of Justin Plein, 39.

Plein's brother Josh, 37, of Cedar Rapids had traveled up to help deal with the aftermath, as the tornado demolished the farm's horse and pole barns, pulled the roof off of a garage, and also superficially damaged a nearby house.

In addition to the damage to buildings, Josh Plein said the tornado had killed one of the three horses housed on the farm, with the other two horses receiving treatment for injuries by a veterinarian on scene.

Plein said his brother was not at the farm at the time of storm, but his sister-in-law and her two children, aged one and four, huddled for safety in the basement.

"They're shook up. I think the kids are less shook up than she is," Plein said.

Plein said that in addition to him showing up to help, other strangers from town had begun to congregate to pitch in picking up the pieces.

"I don't know half these people to be honest," he said.

Another dispatch from Prairieburg

Tom Kluesner, 39, was in his basement with his wife and young kids when the tornado blew through the south side of town, knocking down power lines and crumpling an old grain bin right outside Kluesner's home.  

"It was kind of eerie how quiet it was," he said. 

Though he lost some out buildings, trees and has damage to the trim on his house, Kluesner said the property was largely untouched. 

"Our house was made in 1888 and I'm surprised it's still standing," Kluesner said. "We got other people's property in our yard and our property in other peoples yard but we are OK." 

Kluesner said he has faith that resident will help each other clean up in the coming days. 

"We are all good enough neighbors, we'll find a home for everybody."  

Update 8:44 p.m.

Significant storm damage in the Prairieburg area. June 29, 2017

Significant storm damage in the Prairieburg area. pic.twitter.com/QgcqkGMYq9

— LinnCountySheriff (@LinnIASheriff)

Update 8:27 p.m.An account of the scene at the Linn County Fairgrounds from Gazette reporter Sarah Muller.

Rain began to pour down on the grandstand performance at the Linn County Fair Wednesday evening as they handed out awards for FFA. Facilitators tried to continue the festivities by encouraging people to move under the overhang of the bleachers and talking loudly into the microphone over the roars of thunder.   'The rain will pass,' one of the speakers announced. 'We will just try to talk fast.'     Cell phones started ringing throughout the crowd announcing to attendees that Linn County was under a tornado warning. People began hustling about and the winds picked up to 60 mph. Attendee, Jennie Clemens, ran up the hill from the grandstands to the presentation building with her youngest son.   'I saw the side of [the presentation building] cave in a little bit,' Clemens said. 'So we had to move to a different building.'   Her husband and other son did not follow Jennie to the presentation building.   'I didn't know where they were at, so I was scared,' Clemens said.   Public safety officials gave the clear for people to come out of shelter and find their loved ones. Clemens reported quickly to the grandstands to find her husband and other son. Her step daughter surprised her by running and hugging her with tears streaming down both their faces.   'She lives in Alburnett,' Clemens said. 'She said she could see it over the fairgrounds, so she was scared.'   Clemens was still looking for a few family members when it was announced that a second cell of weather was going to sweep through the area. Staff members began announcing the evacuation of the fairgrounds.   Fair Coronation is rescheduled for Thursday at 5 p.m. and the new time for Mutton Bustin' is to be announced.

Update 8:19 p.m.

Lots of flooding and downed trees between Prairieburg and Central City.June 29, 2017

Lots of flooding and downed trees between Prairieburg and Central City.

— Makayla Tendall (@MakaylaTendall)

Good to know neither tornado warnings or torrential rain can deter my neighbors from setting off fireworks June 29, 2017

Good to know neither tornado warnings or torrential rain can deter my neighbors from setting off fireworks #alldayeveryday #somanyexplosions

— Alison Gowans (@alison_gowans)

Update: 8:12 p.m.

Linn County Fairgoers tell me they say this funnel cloud forming while they were running for cover. Photo credit: Deb Zumbach. June 29, 2017

Linn County Fairgoers tell me they say this funnel cloud forming while they were running for cover. Photo credit: Deb Zumbach. pic.twitter.com/h2uSE2DVfM

— Kevin Barry (@KevinBarryCBS2)

Stripped trees with debris hanging in some just outside Prairieburg site of confirmed tornado June 29, 2017

Stripped trees with debris hanging in some just outside Prairieburg site of confirmed tornado #LiveonFOX28 #LiveonCBS2 pic.twitter.com/TJVKs02aSb

— Matt Hammill (@Matt_Hammill)

Update 8:07 p.m.

If you are in Oxford Junction take shelter NOW. A tornado warned storm is about to pass through. June 29, 2017

If you are in Oxford Junction take shelter NOW. A tornado warned storm is about to pass through. #iawx

— CBS 2 Iowa (@cbs2iowa)

Update 7:59 p.m.

As the storm moves eastward, tornado warnings in Jones County and near Dubuque.

New tornado warning in Jones County, Iowa until 8:30 pmJune 29, 2017

New tornado warning in Jones County, Iowa until 8:30 pm

— Karen Fuller (@KarenFullerCBS2)

KWWL is live in Prairieburg right now - also on Facebook live. June 29, 2017

KWWL is live in Prairieburg right now - also on Facebook live. pic.twitter.com/YQHNxxWIwy

— KWWL (@KWWL)

Here is another photo of the tornado which went through Prairieburg tonight.

Update 7:47 p.m.

We have reporters headed on the way to Prairieburg as we have received reports the city has been sealed off.

Thank you Ryan for sending this picture of the Prairieburg damage. June 29, 2017

Thank you Ryan for sending this picture of the Prairieburg damage. #KCRGWX pic.twitter.com/7QqaoE2pl1

— KCRG-TV9 Weather (@KCRG_FirstAlert)

Police have blocked off Prairieburg Rd at Prairie Hills Rd. June 29, 2017

Police have blocked off Prairieburg Rd at Prairie Hills Rd. #iawx @KWWL pic.twitter.com/CX1rboRnq9

— Jalyn Souchek (@JSouchekKWWL)

Police keeping folks off Prairieburg Road past Prairie Hills Road. I'm told there are downed power lines and a grain bin across the road. June 29, 2017

Police keeping folks off Prairieburg Road past Prairie Hills Road. I'm told there are downed power lines and a grain bin across the road. pic.twitter.com/xBadfnJDVT

— Mitch Fick (@MCFick)

Update 7:37 p.m.

Despite damage reported at the Linn County Fair, the fair reports no injuries as a result of the storm.

We are still waiting to hear about the damage to Prairieburg.

Everyone is safe at the fairgrounds. All events are postponed for the night, stay tuned for details as they come available.June 29, 2017

Everyone is safe at the fairgrounds. All events are postponed for the night, stay tuned for details as they come available.

— The Linn County Fair (@linncountyfair)

Update 7:27 p.m.

The tornado warning has expired, but we are receiving reports of damage in north Linn County. Storms also remain in the area in adjacent counties.

Picture of tornado taken at the Linn County Fair tonight. June 29, 2017

Picture of tornado taken at the Linn County Fair tonight. @kwwl Reports of damage in Prairieburg. pic.twitter.com/DcB9j6Y6Fs

— Ron Steele KWWL (@ronsteelekwwl)

Hail in Vinton. Please credit Cowboy Brian on tv please June 29, 2017

Hail in Vinton. Please credit Cowboy Brian on tv please @KCRG_FirstAlert pic.twitter.com/ulzprskmXB

— Cowboy Brian (@ryan_leonard25)

Update 7:17 p.m.:  Linn County Sheriff dispatch confirms a touchdown in Prairieburg, which has reportedly sustained some damage from the tornado passing through.

According to June 29, 2017

According to @KGAN_Weather there is damage to houses, grain bins, garages in the Prairieburg, IA area from a large tornado

— 1630 KCJJ (@KCJJ)

Prior Coverage

A tornado has been reported near Waubeek, confirmed by law enforcement, as storms are moving eastward across the state.

From our reporter Sarah Muller, who was in Central City at the time of the storm's arrival.

Rain poured down and winds gusted at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Central City, forcing people to try to take cover under the grandstand. The power flicked on and off, and Wednesday night events were postponed.

According to the National Weather Service:

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT FOR NORTHWESTERN JONES...SOUTHEASTERN DELAWARE AND NORTHEASTERN LINN COUNTIES... At 647 PM CDT, a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado was located in Prairiesburg, moving east at 45 mph. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW! HAZARD...Damaging tornado. SOURCE...Law enforcement confirmed tornado. IMPACT...You are in a life-threatening situation. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be destroyed. Considerable damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles is likely and complete destruction is possible. This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Jones...southeastern Delaware and northeastern Linn Counties, including the following locations: Camp Courageous, Scotch Grove, Matsell Bridge Natural Area, Jones County Fairgrounds, Pictured Rocks Wildlife Area, Howard H Cherry Scout Reservation and Monticello Municipal Airport.

Meanwhile, to the south, a tornado watch is in effect in Johnson and Linn and several adjacent counties until 10:00 p.m. this evening.

ORNADO WATCH 375 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 COUNTY IN NORTHWEST ILLINOIS ROCK ISLAND IN IOWA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 21 COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL IOWA BENTON CEDAR CLINTON IOWA JACKSON JOHNSON JONES LINN MUSCATINE SCOTT