Power Outage in Spirit Lake, IA

Ice accumulated to around one-tenth inch on elevated and road surfaces at Spirit Lake, where a small tree fell and snapped a power line due to ice accumulation.

A tornado spun up 3 miles east-northeast of Fostoria one-half mile south of 260th Street east of 250th Avenue. The tornado tracked north just east of 250th Avenue, and snapped several power poles along 260th and 250th Streets. Two farms between 250th and 240th Streets were struck by the tornado, which peeled back the roof of an outbuilding and damaged several large trees. The most significant damage occurred along 235th Street where a portion of the south-facing roof was removed from a house and an outbuilding to the north of the house was destroyed. The tornado tracked through open fields for another mile before it lifted 2 miles east of Milford. The average path width was 25 yards and the maximum estimated wind speed was 100 mph. Property damage costs are a rough estimate.

Thunderstorm winds downed several power poles. Property damage costs are a rough estimate.

Freezing rain and freezing drizzle overnight and much of the morning accumulated to one to two tenths of an inch, especially on elevated surfaces, including powerlines which resulted in brief power outages. Precipitation changed to snow during the midday and afternoon, and totaled 3.7 inches in Lake Park and 3.1 inches 4 miles northwest of Milford.

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. A woman was trapped in a vehicle southeast of Spirit Lake when power lines were downed around her location.

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.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage and blew down power lines.

Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off a mobile home and also blew down power lines.

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 and power line damage, resulting in a power outage in most of the town of Spirit Lake.

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. 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 in the northwest part of county, with snow accumulations up to 2 inches far northwest. Travel and walking surfaces were made very icy, and the ice accumulations caused an unknown amount of damage to trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, with several large trees blown down, and many streets block or littered by tree debris. The winds also blew down power lines, resulting in a power outage. Several boats and boat hoists were heavily damaged.

Thunderstorm winds damaged several boats and docks at Terrace Park Beach. The winds also blew down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree, power pole, and power line damage, with resulting power outages. Some roads were blocked by fallen trees, and a few vehicles sustained minor damage from tree debris.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree, power pole, and power line damage, with resulting power outages. Some roads were blocked by fallen trees, and a few vehicles sustained minor damage from tree debris.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree and power line damage, and caused a power outage. The winds damaged several buildings, including shingles blown off several homes and businesses. Several sheds and shelters were destroyed, and debris was scattered over a large area. Several grain bins were destroyed at a farm.

Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree and power line damage, including numerous large trees blown down, and a half mile of large transmission lines blown down. Several vehicles and a few buildings were damaged by falling trees and tree debris, and some roads were blocked. The winds were accompanied by small hail.

Thunderstorm winds bent over a power pole and flattened a corn crop. The amount of crop damage was not known.

High winds blew a one and a half foot diameter tree on to power lines in West Okoboji.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several large trees blown down. A few power lines were also blown down.

Thunderstorm winds blew the roof off a concrete plant and scattered the debris, resulting in damage to some vehicles. The winds also blew down power lines, resulting in a widespread power outage, and starting a small fire which damaged a house. Tree damage from the winds included several trees blown down.

High winds caused widespread tree and power line damage, especially in the Spirit Lake area.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree and power line damage. At least one house was damaged when a tree was blown over onto the roof.

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines.

Widespread icing from freezing rain made travel difficult, and at times impossible. Damage to power lines and trees occurred, especially in the Spirit Lake area, where significant power outages were reported for the second time in a week. One to three inches of snow fell on top of the ice, except in northwestern Lyon County where up to 5 inches fell.