Damaging storms hit Iowa on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at least one dead and causing significant destruction. A woman in Adams County suffered a storm-related death, with images of the aftermath showing toppled wind turbines and extensive damage in residential areas. Governor Kim Reynolds issued an emergency disaster proclamation for 15 counties, including Adams and Adair, allowing for state resources to be used in response to the storms. The storm activity affected a wide area from Kansas City to Milwaukee, with Iowa facing the highest probability of tornadoes and damaging winds.
More than 4 million people were under a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms, with tornado watches issued for Iowa, northwest Illinois, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Multiple possible tornadoes were spotted in southwestern Iowa, with several tornado warnings issued, including for Des Moines. The Weather Service in Des Moines received numerous reports of tornado sightings on Tuesday afternoon, though the total number was unclear. Over 61,000 customers were without power across Iowa, and flood watches were in effect across a large part of the state.
The morning storms in Madison County, Iowa, brought hail, heavy rains, and strong winds, prompting residents to seek shelter. School districts closed early or did not hold classes as a precaution. The region has already experienced tornadoes this year, with over 150 preliminary reports in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. There was uncertainty about how the morning storms would affect the storms expected later in the day. The risk of severe storms was expected to continue into the Upper Great Lakes region overnight into Wednesday morning.
The storms in Iowa were part of a broader pattern of severe weather in the Midwest in recent weeks. Images shared on social media and local news reports showed the destruction caused by reported tornadoes, including homes reduced to rubble in Greenfield, Iowa. The storm activity led to a tornado watch in several states until 9 p.m., with a “particularly dangerous situation” warned that could produce destructive tornadoes and large hail. Governor Reynolds’ emergency disaster proclamation allowed for state resources to help respond to the storms in the affected counties.
The storm activity on Tuesday followed a series of severe weather events in the Midwest this year, with reports of tornadoes in the Chicago area and other locations. The peak period for tornadic weather in these states typically falls in May and June. The risk of damaging storms was expected to persist into the early hours of Wednesday in the Upper Great Lakes region. The storms and tornadoes in Iowa and surrounding states highlighted the need for preparedness and vigilance in the face of severe weather events.
