Roof Ripped off Building During a Tornado in Iowa
FOX Weather Storm Trackers captured video of at least one cone-shaped tornado in southeastern Iowa on Tuesday.
Severe Weather Strikes Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa – Severe weather triggered several Tornado Warnings on Tuesday, spanning from Kansas through southeastern Iowa. The Storm Prediction Center noted that the atmospheric conditions were favorable for the formation of several tornadoes, including at least one cone-shaped tornado in southeastern Iowa.
Officials at the National Weather Service in Des Moines, Iowa, including Chad Hahn, a warning coordination meteorologist, confirmed that this marked the Hawkeye State’s first widespread severe weather threat of the year.
Communities in Iowa, such as Mediapolis, Pleasant Grove, and Salem, reported damages from the tornado. Exclusive video captured by a FOX Weather Storm Tracker showed a commercial building being torn apart by the intense winds. Additional reports of damaged homes came from nearby New London, Iowa.
It is important to note that the months of April, May, and June typically witness the most active period for tornadoes in the United States, as reported by FOX Weather.
Storms Cause Injury and Damage
Earlier that Tuesday, an American Airlines flight from Kansas City to Chicago encountered a potential lightning strike and consequently returned to the airport. The flight successfully landed at the Kansas City International Airport, with all passengers accommodated on alternate flights after a thorough inspection of the aircraft by maintenance teams.
Please note: Specific events omitted for the sake of privacy.
In Clay County, Missouri, near Smithville Lake, trees suffered damage in the Camp Branch area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though a mobile home was flipped over. Kansas City Trapshooters Association facilities in Smithville, Missouri, were additionally affected.
The NWS office in Topeka, Kansas, reported damage across Osage County, situated south of Topeka, which included the destruction of several buildings. Two individuals sustained injuries after their RV was overturned by the tornado.
The storms subsequently progressed east, with touchdown reported by an emergency manager in Platte County, Nebraska. However, the reported tornado dissipated quickly, preventing any significant damage. Minburn, Iowa, in Dallas County, encountered another tornado resulting in damage to an outbuilding and scattered sheet metal in nearby fields.
More than 20,000 electrical outages were reported across four states by Tuesday evening, with Missouri being the most affected, accounting for a majority of the outages.
Storm Wreaks Havoc on Quad Cities Office
The NWS office responsible for forecasting in the Quad Cities had to temporarily transfer its responsibilities to the Des Moines office as the tornado-warned thunderstorm approached their facility. Fortunately, after the storm passed, there were no reported damages to the weather office, and they promptly resumed issuing warnings for eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
Please note: Specific incidents and details are omitted for the privacy and safety of individuals involved.
Multiple tornadoes and extensive wind and hail damage were reported. Missouri and Iowa were particularly affected, with over a dozen tornado sightings and more than 100 reports of wind and hail damage.
Shift of Severe Threat to South Great Lakes and Ohio Valley
The severe storm threat is expected to migrate to the southern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Wednesday. Intermittent thunderstorms are projected to hit parts of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a Level 2 out of 5 risk for portions of Indiana, Ohio, and southern Michigan.
Storms are anticipated to develop on Wednesday afternoon and persist into the evening. The highlighted areas may experience a combination of severe weather hazards, including hail, high winds, heavy rain, and the possibility of tornadoes.
