Several tornadoes were observed in Iowa and Illinois as storms knocked down power lines and trees on Friday, following closely after a deadly tornado wreaked havoc on a small town.
The extensive storm system originated in Nebraska overnight before moving across central Iowa and into Illinois.
According to the National Weather Service, a weak tornado touched down in suburban Des Moines. Damage from several other reported tornadoes was also being assessed south of Iowa City and near Moline, Illinois. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
The storm brought heavy rainfall to parts of Iowa, where precipitation totals have reached up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) over the past week, as reported by the weather service.
On the same day in Madison, Wisconsin, a church caught fire during a thunderstorm. Nate Moll, a nearby resident, described hearing electrical sounds followed by a loud crack of thunder. Firefighters successfully put out the blaze.
Overturned trailer (Via Jenny Derulo/Shutterstock)
In Oklahoma, a slow-moving storm produced a tornado that was on the ground for about an hour on Thursday evening in Jackson County and neighboring areas. News outlets reported power outages from downed power lines and some structural damage.
Severe weather conditions were anticipated across various parts of the U.S. over the long Memorial Day weekend, with a heightened risk of tornadoes on Saturday in the Great Plains, particularly Kansas and Oklahoma. In New Mexico, strong winds and low humidity could exacerbate wildfire conditions.
“During this peak time of year for tornadoes and severe weather in the United States, it’s crucial to stay vigilant about approaching thunderstorms if you have outdoor plans,” advised Matt Elliott, warning coordination meteorologist at the weather service’s Storm Prediction Center.
