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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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75 percent of state in some level of drought
“The overall goal is getting out information in a way and in a format that is going to get folks’ attention and spur them to take action during dangerous conditions and get themselves into shelter,” said Rich Kinney, warning coordination meteorologist in the National Weather Service’s Quad Cities office.
At least 12 tornadoes cut paths across Iowa as severe storms Wednesday evening left flattened crops, broken trees and battered buildings in their wake, the National Weather Service reported Thursday.
Tornadoes ripped up grain bins, smashed at least one house and downed power lines as severe storms swept Wednesday evening across northern Iowa, according to reports to the National Weather Service.
But more timely precipitation still needed, experts say, before drought conditions can be eliminated.
Spotty rains help some, but miss others
Timely rains aid some areas, not others
Farmers reported many crops benefited from much-needed rain but more moisture is needed, especially in the northern two-thirds of the state. At the same time, other parts of the state got too much rain.
But recent rains are helping outlook.
Come hail or high water, there are parts of Iowa still badly in need of more rain.
A tornado damaged several buildings and knocked down power lines and trees in Eastern Iowa Sunday night.
Heat advisory issued across most of Iowa as heat indexes could reach over 100 degrees.
The new update hopes to improve county officials’ communication to residents in any emergency.
The heat is on in Iowa with most of the state experiencing some degree of drought
