Power Outage in Sibley, IA

Ice accumulated to one-quarter to one-third inch, mainly across the northern half of the county, and mainly from late evening on April 10 through early morning April 11. As winds increased early April 11 with gusts reaching 45 to 50 mph at times, power poles and transmission lines bore the brunt of the worst conditions. More than a dozen power poles were snapped by the weight of the ice accumulation and stress of the high winds. Several roads were closed due to power structures across roadways. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

Freezing rain of one to two tenths of an inch caused icy roads, and accumulated on trees, power lines, and other surfaces. Sibley 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.

Freezing rain of one to two tenths of an inch caused icy roads, and accumulated on trees, power lines, and other surfaces. Spirit Lake reported 0.15 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 62 mph near Sibley.

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 6 inches near Sibley. Many branches, limbs, whole trees, and power lines were downed by the weight of ice and accompanying wind. 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.

Freezing rain produced a quarter to a half inch of ice accumulation. Sleet accumulated up to an inch over the glaze. The precipitation changed to snow along the norther edge of the county, with snow accumulations up to 2 inches on top of the ice. 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, moving into Osceola County from Lyon County, destroyed at least two houses, injuring two people in one of them. the tornado also destroyed several garages and severely damaged several other homes, destroyed at least 4 hog confinement buildings, several barns and silos, and numerous outbuildings. The tornado destroyed three vehicles that had been parked under an Iowa Highway 60 overpass, injuring 11 people in the vehicles, and removing the engine from one of the vehicles. The tornado damaged power lines, causing power outages, and caused damage to trees and crops. The tornado also destroyed a shelter belt and severely damaged heavy farm equipment, removing the wheels from some of the vehicles. Much of the damage occurred a short distance west to south of the town of Sibley.

A tornado, moving into Osceola County from Lyon County, destroyed at least two houses, injuring two people in one of them. the tornado also destroyed several garages and severely damaged several other homes, destroyed at least 4 hog confinement buildings, several barns and silos, and numerous outbuildings. The tornado destroyed three vehicles that had been parked under an Iowa Highway 60 overpass, injuring 11 people in the vehicles, and removing the engine from one of the vehicles. The tornado damaged power lines, causing power outages, and caused damage to trees and crops. The tornado also destroyed a shelter belt and severely damaged heavy farm equipment, removing the wheels from some of the vehicles. Much of the damage occurred a short distance west to south of the town of Sibley.

Thunderstorm winds blew down tree branches and power lines, and blew a swing set into a house. The damaging winds were accompanied by small hail.

High winds caused widespread tree and power line damage.

Thunderstorm winds blew down power poles, resulting in power outages.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, blew down power lines, and destroyed or damaged several large sheds and a silo on a farm. The severe winds also resulted in four calves being killed.