Power Outage in Iowa City, IA

Severe winds and the power is out.

Widespread straight-line winds that produced extensive damage were reported throughout Iowa County, associated with a derecho. These winds lasted around an hour in total at any one location, even though the initial line of storms moved out quickly. Damaging straight-line winds continued and were associated with the rear inflow jet. Maximum wind speeds were estimated to be 60 to 80 MPH for much of the county, with areas in northern Johnson County that had wind speed estimates that were 80 MPH or higher. These estimates were determined based off damage reports and photos submitted through social media. The peak wind gust measured at the Iowa City Airport was 69 MPH before the power went out. The duration of strong winds caused extensive damage to most trees, powerlines, crops, and structures in their path. The widespread damage also resulted in long duration power outages.

A tornado caused outbuilding, grain bin, and tree damage at a farmstead in northeast Johnson County. The tornado then followed an intermittent northeast path for 7 miles, and crossed into Cedar County just south of the Cedar River. The tornado downed power poles east of Sutliff. The damage in Johnson County was rated as EF-0, with maximum winds around 85 mph. The tornado rating in Cedar County was EF-1, with maximum winds around 110 mph. Johnson and Cedar County Emergency Management provided assistance in completing the survey.

A trained spotter reported 6.1 inches of snow in Swisher, Iowa. Significant blowing and drifting snow was widespread over the area with white out conditions at times lingering through the day of February 12. Power outages from down power lines, power poles, and tree branch damage were widespread.

A trained spotter reported that a 8 to 12 inch diameter hardwood tree was uprooted. The spotter noted a measured wind gust of 70 MPH before the power failed. The wind speeds may have been higher.

A trained spotter measured a wind gust of 70 MPH before the power went out. The winds were likely higher.

The Emergency Manager reported power lines and tree branches down in town and south of town.

The Johnson County Emergency Manager reported a power pole down near the Emergency Dispatch Center.

Some power lines were blown down on Benton Street around 2 pm.

Some power lines were blown down on Benton Street around 2 pm.

Law Enforcement relayed that they received several reports of limbs down and isolated power poles down in western and southern portions of the county.

The Johnson County Emergency Manager reported numerous power lines and trees down throughout the county. A lightning strike caused a fire in town.

Power was out in town. A trained spotter estimated the thunderstorm wind gusts to be between 50 and 60 mph.

Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew a small radio tower down onto a building on 5th Street in Coralville, IA around 1240 pm CDT June 18. In addition, a number of power lines were blown down and an estimated 50-60 treese were damaged.

Wind gusts estimated to be 60 to 75 mph blew down numerous trees and power lines near Van Buren, Market, Church, and Fairchild streets in Iowa City around 1240 pm CDT June 18. At least 2 trees landed on homes.

Trees and power lines down on Sand Road. KIOW ASOS to the west and north of this location recorded a 40 knot (46 mph) wind gust at 1956 CST. KDVN 88D velocity data indicated the strongest winds passed to the south and east of KIOW.

Trees and power lines down on 250th Street.

Showers and thunderstorms moved across the area August 20 as a trough of low pressure moved into western Iowa. Some of the storms were severe downing trees and power lines. Torrential downpours and lightning also accompanied the storms with rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches in just an hour or two. Otherwise, warm and humid conditions prevailed across the region with high temperatures topping out in the middle 80s to lower 90s.

Tornado developed at the intersection of highways 1 & 218 on the southwest side of Iowa City at 1929 CST and tracked northeast through the city before lifting just northeast of the intersection of 1st Avenue & Hickory Trail at 1937 CST. This path took it through the southeast corner of the University of Iowa campus. This was the first tornado to hit near the campus in 35 years and the University was closed on Friday April 14th for safety reasons.The KIOW ASOS at the airport on the southwest side of the city recorded a peak wind gust of 49 knots (57 mph) at 1931 CST. This gust was likely the result of the rear flank downdraft as the tornado neared the intersection of U.S. 6 and highway 1 northeast of the airport. Hard times for the location of the tornado are 1930 CST at the Wal-Mart. At 1932-1933 CST power was lost at the Johnson County Sheriff Office with telephone lines, LAN, and automated systems going down as the tornado passed over the building. While the tornado was passing over the sheriff's office, someone flipped the outdoor warning sirens from automatic to manual override and activated the sirens one final time.Damage totals are still being evaluated and the $12 million amount will likely be closer to $15 million or possibly higher. Known damage amounts include; Iowa City and Johnson County $4 million with an additional $755,000 of uninsured loses (traffic lights, signs, street lights), University of Iowa $6 million with the motor pool headquarters a total loss and 31 vehicles damaged, and $1.3 million in damage to residences/businesses. Three automobile dealerships were damaged; one dealership had 200 vehicles damaged, a second had 60-70 vehicles damaged, and a third had nearly every vehicle sustaining some type of damage.A total of 1,016 residential and 35 commercial buildings were damaged with some destroyed. Some well known landmark buildings known to citizens, college students, and alumni were lost or heavily damaged. These included the Dairy Queen (lost) and St. Patrick's Church (heavily damaged). Several historic buildings were damaged downtown and it is unknown whether or not they can or will be saved. The tornado damaged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house and damaged many student apartments located just off the campus on Iowa, Dodge, and Governor streets.Given the strength and width of the tornado it is amazing that only 30 injuries (many minor) occurred. Many U of I students were unaware of what was happening or dashed to a nearby parking garage for safety with the tornado approaching a few blocks behind them. Several foreign exchange students, many of whom had never seen, experienced, or heard of a tornado, were in awe and disbelief over the magnitude of the event. At St. Patrick's Church, the Maundy Thursday evening service had just ended. Upon being told of an approaching tornado by Decon Jerome Miller, the Reverend Rudolph Juarez ushered 50 to 75 parishioners (many elderly) to the safety of the rectory basement next door. This action saved the lives of everyone as the tornado tore off the roof off the church and collapsed the top portion of the brick facade and the steeple into the main congregation area.