Power Outage in Cherokee, IA

Freezing rain fell during the overnight and morning hours, accumulating to one-quarter inch on mainly elevated surfaces, including powerlines. Brief power outages were reported. Snowfall in the afternoon accumulated to 3.0 inches at Cherokee and 4 miles north of Cleghorn.

Hazardous travel conditions producing several minor accidents resulted from a period of light freezing rain which brought ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch. Light snowfall followed with less than an inch accumulation. Several power outages were reported around the Sioux City metro area.

Freezing rain of over a quarter inch caused icy roads, and accumulated on trees, power lines, and other surfaces. Cherokee reported 0.32 inch of rain during a time when temperatures were at or below freezing. Law enforcement agencies reported a few vehicles accidents on the ice, but no known injuries, with traffic being light because of the holiday, business closings, and activity cancellations. Light winds limited damage to trees and power lines, with only small branches breaking off.

High winds from a westerly direction followed a low pressure system which had brought Christmas Day rain and thunderstorms. There were several reports of power lines and branches down and resulting power outages, and traffic lights and some signs were damaged. The winds were estimated at a sustained 40 mph. A gust to 53 mph at was reported at Cherokee Airport, with estimated gusts around 60 mph.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 45 mph for a few hours. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including large limbs blown down. The winds also blew down power lines.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage and blew down power lines.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including several large trees blown down. Several homes and businesses were damaged by falling trees, and other had shingle and other roof damage. Several vehicles were also damaged by falling trees and tree debris. A storage shed full of sports equipment at the high school was destroyed, with the equipment damaged. Signs and power lines were blown down, and a power outage resulted. A semi was blown over near town.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations of around a quarter inch in the southern part of Cherokee County, with lesser accumulations to the north. Travel and walking were made extremely hazardous and difficult. Damage to trees and power lines was reported, and there were scattered power outages.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree and power line damage, resulting in power outages. Several trees were blown completely down, including one which damaged the porch of a house.