Power Outage in Vinton, IA

The tornado developed northwest of Vinton, Iowa and moved northeast, producing damage to farm buildings, trees, and power poles.

The tornado developed northwest of Vinton, Iowa and moved northeast, producing damage to farm buildings, trees, and power poles.

A tornado developed about 2.5 miles southwest of Vinton Saturday evening, and tracked northeast through the northwest portion of Vinton, before lifting northeast of town. The tornado was on the ground for about 16 minutes, along a 14 mile path. The maximum tornado width was about 400 yards. The tornado was rated a strong EF-1, with maximum estimated winds around 110 mph. Southwest of Vinton, the tornado snapped numerous power poles and damaged trees and outbuildings. In northwest Vinton, the tornado damaged numerous structures, including mobile homes, houses, and wood frame metal buildings in an industrial park. Numerous residents of the mobile home park that was impacted went to the designated storm shelter built by the city of Vinton. Outdoor warning sirens were activated 3 times before the tornado moved into far northwest Vinton. There were no reported injuries or fatalities. The tornado continued northeast through rural areas, causing tree and outbuilding damage.

Widespread straight-line winds that produced extensive damage were reported throughout Benton County, associated with a derecho. These winds lasted around an hour in total, even though the initial line of convection moved out fast. Damaging straight-line winds continued and were associated with the rear inflow jet. Maximum wind speeds were reported up to 80 mph for much of the county, with areas in central Benton County that had wind speed estimates from 120 mph wind or greater. The maximum measured unofficial wind gust was 126 mph in Atkins, IA. These estimates were determined based off damage surveys and photos submitted through social media. These strong winds extensively damaged most trees, powerlines, crops, and many structures in their path. This resulted in long duration power outages.

The Emergency Manager reported a barn, silo, and power lines damaged at 2526 51st Street about 3 miles south of Brandon. The time of the event was estimated using radar.

A trained spotter reported 7 inches of snow in Belle Plaine, Iowa. Significant blowing and drifting snow was widespread over the area with white out conditions at times lingering through the day of February 12. Power outages from down power lines, power poles, and tree branch damage were widespread.

A tornado tracked across the southern parts of Vinton, with damage to over a dozen homes, an apartment complex and other buildings including some roofs removed. Numerous power poles and trees were down with damage to other structures like a cell phone tower and some corn fields.

Wind gusts estimated to be 120 mph caused significant damage throughout the town of Vinton, IA at 500 am CDT July 11. Hundreds of trees and power lines were blown down throughout the area and several cars and buildings were damaged. The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School was heavily damaged. The Old Main building on campus will need a new roof. A smokestack at the hospital was blown off punching a gaping hole in the side of the rehabilitation center. Several buildings in Vinton sustained massive damage, including the A.S.A.C. building, Kruger's Barber Shop, the Pioneer Seed building, Mickey's Bar, Phillips funeral home and the Hummel Apartments.

Wind gusts estimated to be 70 mph blew down several large trees and limbs in Vinton, IA around 425 AM July 10. Some of the trees and branches fell on some power lines.

Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph blew down numerous tree limbs in Vinton, IA around 736 am June 19. A power outage was also observed.

Winds estimated to be 75 mph blew the roof off a hog confinement building, flattened most corn fields just west of town. In addition, a few trees and power lines were blown down in town, as well as numerous tree limbs.|

Ice accumulations of 0.2 inches on trees and power lines.

Tornado began 3 miles southeast of Van Horne at 1850 CST and continued east along county road W14 and dissipated south of Newhall at 1858 CST. The Newhall fire department observed the tornado crossing highway 287 south of town at 1857 CST. Four power poles were snapped and fences were damaged.