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On This Day in 2008: Iowa Struck by EF5 Tornado
May 24, 2021 at 03:10 PM EDT
By WeatherBug's Intern Meteorologist, Christopher Smith
While Oklahoma is the most active spot for strong tornadoes, they can occur as far north as the southern Great Lakes. As a matter of fact, residents of central Iowa found that out on this day 13 years ago.
Late during the afternoon of May 25, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. CDT, a tornado first touched down near the Butler/Grundy County line, about 30 miles west of Waterloo, Iowa. While the tornado was first rather small and weak, it quickly intensified. Just 10 minutes after touching down, the tornado grew to three-fourths of a mile wide near Parkersburg, Iowa.
The damage through Parkersburg, Iowa, was significant. One hundred to 200 homes were destroyed as winds up to 205 mph tore through southern parts of the town. Unfortunately, the violent tornado didn’t stop there. New Hartford, Iowa, was the next town to be hit with EF5-tornado winds greater than 200 mph that ripped apart trees and destroyed buildings.
After being on the ground for 43 miles, the tornado finally dissipated just before entering Buchanan County, Iowa. In total, six lives were lost while approximately 70 others were injured. The EF5 tornado was the first to strike Iowa since 1976.
While EF5 tornadoes are extremely rare, Iowa is no stranger to severe weather, including tornadoes, during the month of May. Iowa sees it share of severe weather in late spring to summer as the warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico pushes into the Upper Mississippi Valley.
Source: weather.gov
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Story Image: Significant damage from the tornado in Parkersburg, Iowa (Wikimedia Commons/NWS Des Moines).
Late during the afternoon of May 25, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. CDT, a tornado first touched down near the Butler/Grundy County line, about 30 miles west of Waterloo, Iowa. While the tornado was first rather small and weak, it quickly intensified. Just 10 minutes after touching down, the tornado grew to three-fourths of a mile wide near Parkersburg, Iowa.
The damage through Parkersburg, Iowa, was significant. One hundred to 200 homes were destroyed as winds up to 205 mph tore through southern parts of the town. Unfortunately, the violent tornado didn’t stop there. New Hartford, Iowa, was the next town to be hit with EF5-tornado winds greater than 200 mph that ripped apart trees and destroyed buildings.
After being on the ground for 43 miles, the tornado finally dissipated just before entering Buchanan County, Iowa. In total, six lives were lost while approximately 70 others were injured. The EF5 tornado was the first to strike Iowa since 1976.
While EF5 tornadoes are extremely rare, Iowa is no stranger to severe weather, including tornadoes, during the month of May. Iowa sees it share of severe weather in late spring to summer as the warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico pushes into the Upper Mississippi Valley.
Source: weather.gov
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Story Image: Significant damage from the tornado in Parkersburg, Iowa (Wikimedia Commons/NWS Des Moines).