(Atlantic) One year ago today, the December Derecho struck the state of Iowa and adjacent states, causing one billion dollars in damage. It was the first ever derecho recorded in the United States during December. Sixty-three tornadoes were recorded in Iowa, shattering the single-day record of 21 set in June 1984.
A tornado rated an EF-2 with peak wind speeds of 115-120 miles per hour traveled 26 miles, leaving a path of destruction through Cass and Audubon counties on this day one year ago. The National Weather Service says the EF2 tornado caused significant damage to outbuildings, homes, power poles, and transmission lines in Cass and Audubon counties. The tornado originated at 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday southwest of Atlantic and traveled northeast for 26 miles ending on Highway 44 just east of Hamlin in Audubon County at 5:08 p.m. The twister carried peak wind speeds of 115-to-120 miles per hour.
The tornado touched down at the Jeff and Tarah Anderson farmstead southwest of the Atlantic Airport. Jeff and his family were hunkered down in the basement when the storm hit.
The storm traveled north one mile and struck a home at 59071 Highland Road, causing tree, roof, and garage damage. Lori Robinson was huddled in the basement when she heard a loud crash.
The storm crossed the highway to the Comes farmstead mangling outbuildings, leveled a 65- foot silo, and sliced another silo in half. Tyler Comes watched it all happen from the east window of his basement.
The good news is that the violent storm stayed outside the counties’ larger populated cities.
(The following photos are courtesy of Ben Bartholomew with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office)
