Iowa officials announced Sunday morning that a string of tornadoes ripped through central Iowa Saturday afternoon, damaging dozens of homes and businesses, and killing seven people, including two children.
The storms hit Madison County, Iowa, the hardest, where four adults and two children suffered fatalities. Lucas County also experienced damage from another twister, including one death, and damage to various buildings.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement Saturday night expressing her family’s condolences:
Our hearts go out to all those affected by the deadly storms that tore through our state today. Kevin and I join with Iowans in prayer for those that lost their lives and those injured. Our hearts ache during this time, but I know Iowans will step up and come together to help in this time of need—they already are.
One of the tornadoes was one of the deadliest in Iowa’s history. The Carters, a family whose home was destroyed in Winterset, Iowa, relayed their experience during the twister to USA Today:
“It was so loud, it was quiet,” Josie Carter, 17, said. “I don’t know how else to describe it. I could hear it was a big wind storm, then so much was going on. It just went quiet and still. I want to say that was the eye.”
“I just remember the pressure,” Chad Carter added.
They narrowly survived, they said.
Josie and Chad Carter rode out a tornado on Sat. March 5, 2022, in their home just northeast of U.S. HWY 169
“I was able to get to the basement and the door slammed because of the wind, but (my dad) was still at the bottom of the stairs. He didn’t quite get into the basement. So I thought he was gone,” Josie Carter said.
Chad also told the paper that they were able to find a few family photos and items, but “no treasures” on Sunday.
Madison County Emergency Management Director Diogenes Ayala also said that “the tornado hit about 25 to 30 homes and the fatalities were in different locations.”
“This is the worst that anyone’s seen in quite a long time,” Ayala said. “This will be impactful for many years to come.”
The Washington Post reported that a Northern Illinois University meteorologist estimated there to be one billion dollars worth of damage from the storms.
NIU professor Victor Gensini also told the paper, “The storms that produce these tornadoes — these supercell storms — they don’t care what the calendar says,” adding they can strike at any time.
“It doesn’t have to say June. It doesn’t have to say May,” he explained. “They form whenever the ingredients are present. And they were certainly present yesterday.”
On Twitter, users shared photos of the tornadoes that showed just how massive the storms were.
“Another shot of today’s wedge tornado near Winterset, Iowa at 4:34 PM CST,” one user shared.
Another shot of today’s wedge tornado near Winterset, Iowa at 4:34 PM CST
Photo sent in by: Brooke D.#weather #tornado #iawx #mowx #wx pic.twitter.com/llpHOk1sKZ
— Nash Rhodes (@NashWX) March 6, 2022
“After reviewing my camera shots I can see that I captured 4 tornadoes in Iowa. Two larger tornadoes and two smaller,” another added.
After reviewing my camera shots I can see that I captured 4 tornadoes in Iowa. Two larger tornadoes and two smaller. My only shot of the Winterset IA tornado as it was 3 miles ahead and through RFD. Kind of a miracle I got it. It's rough but it's there. Insane day. #iawx pic.twitter.com/5NgvanvAtK
— Hunter Fowkes (@StrmchsrHunterF) March 6, 2022
On Sunday, Iowa’s governor will tour the damage with her husband and team.
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Source: Dailywire
