Power Outage in Le Mars, IA

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 one to two tenths of an inch caused icy roads, and accumulated on trees, power lines, and other surfaces. Akron reported 0.22 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 prevented significant damage to trees and power lines.

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 included a measured gust of 61 mph at Le Mars Airport.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 45 mph for a few hours. A gust to 54 mph was measured at Le Mars. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree and power line damage, resulting in a power outage.

Thunderstorm winds blew down power poles and caused tree damage.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations of a quarter to a half inch. Travel and walking were made extremely hazardous and difficult. Damage to trees and power lines was reported, including more than 200 utility poles brought down by the ice, and there were scattered power outages.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage and blew down power lines. The amount of damage was not known.

Strong non thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several trees blown down. The winds also blew down power lines. The damage was noted in Le Mars, Remsen, and Merrill.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including several trees and numerous large limbs and branches blown down. Tree debris damaged the roofs of at least three homes. The siding of a manufacturing business building was ripped off by the wind. Power lines were downed by wind and falling tree debris, resulting in power outages.

Thunderstorm winds tore part of the roof and walls from a metal machine shed. Debris damaged a nearby garage. There was also tree and power line damage, and a resulting power outage.