July, 14 2021 Iowa Outbreak (to be updated)

 July, 14 2021 Iowa Outbreak.

Yesterday, estimated 12 tornados dropped throughout the center and northern portions of Iowa. 12 was the original estimation so more could be added in the later days. 

Picture from Lake City

The first tornado dropped from the sky around 3:54 PM just Southwest of Lake City, this tornado was designated as a EF-3 with peak winds around 136-145 MPH and on the ground for about 10 miles ending just West of Lohrville. This tornado dubbed "Lake City Tornado" caused damage in the town, including wiping out a a second story of a home on Norridge Avenue. The damage continued about a half mile outside of town, taking out farm buildings which trapped some animals on the farm. 

The second tornado found its legs just 1.8 miles north east of Stanhope and stayed on the ground until about 2.2 miles North East of Jewell. This tornado was rated EF-1 and had wind speeds of 86-90 MPH. We are still unsure of damage that was done, though with its low rating I doubt much was touched by this storm. These storms primarily were captured in rural agricultural areas. This tornado on video maintained a beautiful screw like structure and at sometimes a clear funnel coated by greenery as it tore through corn and bean fields. 

The third tornado touched down about 2.2 miles South West of Shell Rock at 5:16pm. This tornado was rated EF-1, with peak wind speeds around 95-105 mph. Most damage occurred to trees, even uprooting some. No serious structure damage has been reported at this time but that can always change as investigation continues. This tornado was sickle so it would fall apart, then re strengthen.

The fourth tornado touched down at 5:32 pm 2.7 miles south east of Waverly and ended 3.7 miles south east. This tornado was rated EF-1 with wind speeds of 95-105 MPH, lasting only 1.15 miles. No serious damage or any injuries were reported with this storm.

Tornado number 5 was located just 1 mile south west of Dysart around 7:01pm. Rated at EF-1 with wind speeds of 95-100 mph it lasted 1.15 miles with no reported width. This tornado also caused light damage before lifting at 7:06pm, only spending 5 minutes on the ground. This tornado stuck to a mostly rural path, causing mostly crop, power line damage and tree damages which some include impact to housing.

Tornado number 6 touched down in Rockwell and traveled for approximately 4 miles, this storm was rated a EF-0 with wind speeds of 85 mph. This tornado seemed to miss most structures as it crossed Thrush Ave, between the towns of Rockwell and Cartersville. It touched down at 5:52 pm and lifted at 5:56 pm.

Tornado number 7 touched down just south of 255th st and east of Union Ave outside the town of Sac City. It stayed on the ground for approximately 0.8 miles and touched down and lifted around the same time at 5:33 pm

More reports will come in from this event, as NWA continues its survey of the damaged areas. The number of tornados will likely rise but I do not see the intensity of any of these tornados rising in the coming up days.   7/15/21 8:35PM

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opinion:

  The Des Moines National weather service is honesty the gold star of all the NWS locations. They warnings were fantastic, they were responsive and active on social media and with setting warnings off but also not warning every single storm. I also noticed they did not issue both severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings, They did one or the other, depending on which one applied best. Though these tornadoes were not all strong and long lived they still caused damage to both structures, vehicles, and agricultural areas. This still could've been much worse then it actually was. No injuries and no deaths, but yet still some significant damage to a few structures especially with the Lake City tornado. We are lucky in the Midwest to have a abundance of well built homes compared to somewhere in the south where there are larger areas of mobile homes, which is one reason out of many why we don't suffer as many deaths as the Dixie alley does.