A string of nighttime storms and straight-line winds caused significant damage in southeast Iowa City on Thursday night, knocking out power, downing trees, and damaging several homes.
Johnson County Emergency Management initially reported that a tornado had touched down on the southeast side of Iowa City late on April 23, but later confirmed that straight-line winds caused an array of damage to homes and trees near the intersection of S. Scott Boulevard and Highway 6.
A top wind gust of 69 mph was recorded two miles southeast of Iowa City, according to the Quad Cities National Weather Service office. The top wind gust within Iowa City limits was recorded at 53 mph near the Iowa City airport.
The NWS Quad Cities office confirmed that Davenport recorded a top wind gust of 70 mph.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning throughout eastern Iowa around 9 p.m. on Thursday. The storms were recorded producing wind gusts up to 60 mph, penny-sized hail, and tornado potential.
The Iowa City Fire Department responded to reports of lightning strikes, a fire, and someone trapped in a home as the storms moved out of the area.
What are straight-line winds?
Straight-line winds are often mistaken for tornadoes. The weather phenomenon is powerful, non-rotating winds produced by thunderstorms that travel in a uniform direction, but can cause widespread damage.
Johnson County EMA is reporting that the most storm damage in Iowa City was near Riverside Dr., Buresh Ave., Gleason Ave. and N. Dodge St., in addition to Wintergreen Drive, and Gleason Ave and Grantwood St. near Sycamore St.
Storm causes power outages in Iowa City
Thursday’s storm triggered reports of several power outages throughout Iowa City. At one point Thursday night, Johnson County Emergency Management said more than 3,500 residents were without power. By 10 a.m., Friday, April 24, 117 Mid-American customers in southeast Iowa City were without power due to downed power lines.
The energy company warns that people should “stay far away from downed power lines.”
(This story was updated to include a video.)
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Storm damage in Iowa City caused by straight-line winds, not a tornado
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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