Severe Wind Gusts Cause Extensive Damage in Storm Lake

By Tom Robinson Apr 18, 2025 | 11:07 AM

(Storm Lake) The National Weather Service based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reports that wind gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour caused extensive damage in Storm Lake early this morning. Todd Heitkamp, the lead meteorologist at the Sioux Falls office, informed KSOM-KS95 News that strong straight-line winds were responsible for the destruction.

Audio Player

00:00

Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

The Storm Lake Police Department has posted aftermath images on their Facebook page. Fallen power lines, downed trees, and scattered debris obstruct roads throughout the town.

Audio Player

00:00

Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

Heitkamp noted that the storm persisted for quite a while, affecting nearby regions with winds of 50 to 60 mph, but the most significant damage occurred in Storm Lake.

(Photos courtesy of the Storm Lake Police Department Facebook Page)

At Western Iowa Today, we strive for reporting accuracy. If you see a mistake or a typo, please let us know by email to ksomnews@mchsi.com.
Story Content (c) 2025 Meredith Communications LC - All Rights Reserved.

Updated: Tornado Watch for Southwest Iowa Counties (Monday Evening)

(Omaha/Valley) The National Weather Service has extended a Tornado Watch to include additional counties in southwest and west central Iowa. The area counties included in the watch until midnight inclu...

Apr 28, 2025

Iowa House Approves Bill to Eliminate County Fees for ATV and UTV Use on Secondary Roads

(Des Moines) The Iowa House of Representatives has passed HF 1015, a bill that will prohibit counties from charging additional fees to ATV and UTV users operating on secondary roads. Under current Iow...

Apr 25, 2025

Friday's Drake Relays Results (Final)

Boys 4x400 Prelim (Top 8 to Finals) 1) Johnston 3:18.05 2) Bettendorf 3:18.09 3) Cedar Falls 4) Okoboji Milford 5) Muscatine 6) Des Moines East 7) Prairie Cedar Rapids 8) Ankeny Centennial Girls 4x400...

Apr 25, 2025

Track Results: Charger Boys Break School Record in 4x100; Hansen Has Big Night for CAM

(Audubon, IA) -- AC/GC had broken a school record in the 4x100 relay on Saturday at the Drake Relays; they broke it again Tuesday night. Joe Crawford, Brexton Schneider, Kaden Sorensen and Eli Madsen...

Apr 30, 2025