Gov. Kim Reynolds issues disaster orders for 4 Iowa counties

Severe weather that this week struck Western Iowa — including yet another tornado in Minden — prompted Gov. Kim Reynolds to issue a disaster proclamation Wednesday for four counties, opening up state resources as residents and merchants recover.

The four counties included in the order were Clarke, Marion, O’Brien and Pottawattamie counties. This is the second time Clarke and Pottawattamie counties were included in a disaster proclamation in just over a week — Reynolds named Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Ringgold, Shelby, Union and Pottawattamie counties in orders at the end of April.

Severe storms rolled Monday night through Western Iowa, including three tornadoes that the National Weather Service rated as causing EF1 — or moderate — damage near Glenwood, Carson and Minden.

The weather service said the storms snapped utility poles, broke tree branches, destroyed grain bins and damaged outbuildings. No injuries were reported.

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The severe storms came after 24 twisters tore April 26 through Western and Central Iowa — including a strong EF3, or severe, tornado that stayed on the ground for nearly 41 miles near Minden. That tornado killed one and injured three.

The state disaster proclamations open grant programs for qualifying residents and provides assistance with disaster recovery plans.