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Iowa saw 8 tornadoes Tuesday
Most severe one — an EF-2 — carved 42-mile path through Southeast Iowa
Apr. 18, 2024 4:08 pm, Updated: Apr. 19, 2024 9:39 am
Iowa’s first tornadoes of 2024 arrived with Tuesday’s severe storms when the National Weather Service recorded eight of them
Dallas County saw one, Calhoun County had two and Pocahontas County experienced three. Buchanan County saw one and another passed through Lee, Des Moines and Henry counties, according to the weather service’s Des Moines and Quad City bureaus.
No injuries were reported from the tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.
The strongest tornado — an EF-2 with winds of about 130 mph — touched down in Southeast Iowa in Lee County, just southwest of Houghton, at 4:25 p.m. The 600-yard-wide twister traveled 42 miles before ending at 5:21 p.m.
The worst damage was at a farmstead north of New London in Henry County, where a brick house lost its roof.
Dallas County
The Dallas County tornado touched down near Minburn in Central Iowa at 11:05 a.m. and lasted until 11:15 a.m., according to the weather service. It was about 50 yards wide and was on the ground for about 7 miles with wind gusts of 75 to 85 mph. It was rated EF-0, the weakest rating.
Calhoun County
The first Calhoun County tornado touched down near Rockwell City in North-Central Iowa at 2:26 p.m. and lasted until 2:38 p.m. It was about 75 yards wide and was on the group for just over 6 miles, with winds estimated near 100 mph. It was rated EF-1.
The second tornado in Calhoun County touched down at 2:57 p.m. near Manson and lasted only a couple of minutes until 2:59 p.m. It traveled 0.63 miles and was about 30 yards wide. The EF rating and wind speed were unknown because it did not impact any of the damage indicators used to produce the rating, according to the weather service.
Buchanan County
The Buchanan County tornado touched down at 3:02 p.m. northwest of Quasqueton, near the Pine Creek Wildlife area. It traveled 4.3 miles and ended at 3:08 p.m. just west of Winthrop. The wind speed was about 110 mph and the tornado was about 125 yards wide. It was rated EF-1.
Pocahontas County
The first Pocahontas County tornado touched down at 3:11 p.m. about 4 miles east of Palmer. It lasted until 3:16 p.m. and traveled just over 2 miles. It was about 50 yards wide. The EF rating and wind speed were unknown, according to the weather service.
The other two Pocahontas County tornadoes were both near Rolfe and lasted only a few minutes. One touched down between 3:34 p.m. and 3:38 p.m. and traveled 1.66 miles. The other touched down between 3:42 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. and traveled 0.64 miles. They were both about 40 yards wide. The winds speeds and EF rating of the first were unknown, but the second had an estimated wind speed of 70 mph and an EF-0 rating.
Governor issues disaster proclamation
Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Allamakee, Cass, Des Moines, Fayette, Henry and Lee counties in response to Tuesday’s severe weather — all counties the governor’s office said suffered “significant damage” in the storms that not only spawned tornadoes, but also heavy straight-line winds, hail, rain and flash flooding.
The proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for those counties.
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food and temporary housing expenses.
Receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days to apply.
The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance and referrals. There are no income eligibility requirements. It closes after 180 days. See iowacommunityaction.org for details on applying.
Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com
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