Multi-vortex tornado near Keota and Wellman Friday, March 31st. Photo Courtesy of Great Lakes Weather and Climate Social Media and storm chaser Devin Pitts (@DevinWxChase on Twitter)
Photo Update 6:45A Saturday, April 1st
Photos of Damage from Elm Avenue SW of Wellman
Severe storms struck the KCII-listening area Friday afternoon. At 3:55pm the National Weather Service of the Quad Cities issued a tornado warning for portions of Washington, Keokuk, and Jefferson counties. Initial reports of confirmed tornadoes from trained weather spotters came from the Keokuk and Wapello County line. Large damaging tornadoes were confirmed on the ground near Sigourney, West Chester, and Kinross, with multi vortex tornadoes seen near Keota and Wellman. Local officials including Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen and Keota Police Chief Doug Conrad were on the ground confirming sightings.
Warnings for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms persisted across southeast Iowa through the rest of the afternoon and the evening Friday. Ryan Miller, Wellman Mayor, tells KCII News at least half a dozen homes and buildings were destroyed west of Wellman. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, portions of highways 92 and 78 are closed due to debris on the roadway. According to Alliant Energy, as of 7 pm Friday roughly 3,000 customers are without power. Seven members of the KCII Severe Weather Action Team responded to provide live coverage. KCII was able to continue coverage with our backup generator. The KCII News team will continue to follow the story and bring you more information as it becomes official.