Power Outage in Sheldon, IA

Numerous trees and power lines down in Sheldon. Some minor street flooding as well.

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. Sheldon reported 0.20 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. Around 800 electric customers in Sheldon were temporarily without power. Traffic lights and some signs were damaged. The winds included a measured gust of 59 mph at Sheldon Airport.

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.

An extended period of precipitation began with freezing rain quickly producing heavy ice accumulations, ranging up to between a quarter and half inch. The precipitation then changed to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching 3 to 6 inches. Many branches, limbs, whole trees, and power lines were downed by the weight of ice and accompanying wind, especially over the northern part of the county. Both urban areas and rural electric cooperatives suffered major power line damage. Trees and tree debris blocked many roads, and damaged several vehicles and homes. Major power outages were reported, affecting thousands of people. The winter precipitation made travel impossible in many areas, resulting in schools and businesses being forced to close.

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines.

Freezing rain produced a quarter to a half inch of glaze accumulation, with similar sleet accumulations over the glaze. Travel and walking surfaces were made very icy, and the ice accumulations caused an unknown amount of damage to trees and power lines.

A tornado destroyed several outbuildings, moved a 1.5 ton wagon, heavily damaged a machine shed containing farm equipment and also damaged a nearby house on the same farm. Also destroyed another machine shed at a different location, destroyed a pole barn, damaged a grain bin, broke or blew down several power poles and power lines, and caused tree damage.

Thunderstorm winds blew down tree branches and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds blew half the roof off a Hog confinement building, and also tore off large parts of roofing from a turkey farm. The winds also damaged power lines.

Thunderstorm winds flipped over a camper, twisted swing sets, blew down power poles, and caused widespread tree damage. Several trees were blown down, including one which fell on a tent, killing a participant in a bicycle ride across Iowa. Several roads were blocked by fallen trees and limbs. Wind blown debris damaged siding on several houses.

High winds caused widespread tree damage, including several trees broken off at the roots. The winds also blew down a horse barn and power lines. Damage was noted in Primghar, Sanborn, Paulina, and Gaza.

Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off a farm house, broke power poles, and caused tree damage.