Farmers in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa are assessing damages after being impacted by tornadoes and severe weather this past weekend.
The total number of tornadoes that touched down in Iowa on Friday reached 17, not including severe weather that hit the Midwest earlier in the week and 13 tornadoes that touched down on April 16.
According to the National Weather Service, at least half of the tornadoes were likely classified as EF-2s, with winds reaching 135 miles per hour. However, in-person surveys, radar data, satellite imagery, and videos will help complete the total tally.
“These bigger outbreaks do take time to go through and find out all the tracks across the state,” meteorologist Craig Cogil told Radio Iowa. “It’s likely we’ll see a few more added on here before we have the final total for the system. We may get up towards 20 across the state, but right now, we can confirm about 17 across the state.”
The Des Moines Register reported that a man who was injured during the tornado in Minden, Iowa, passed away after being transferred to a trauma center in Omaha, Nebraska. Three other people also suffered injuries, including one responder and two community members, plus an additional four people injured on Saturday afternoon, according to the Pottawattamie County energy management.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for Pottawatomie County to support storm recovery efforts in Minden.
Minden, Iowa got sideswiped on the SE side by a violent #tornado. @JordanHallWX #iawx pic.twitter.com/iGBvxSy7KY
— MyRadar Weather (@MyRadarWX) April 26, 2024
Four tornadoes, including one EF-3, were clocked in Nebraska at 145 mph near Elba. The tornado stretched about 600 yards, knocking down power along Odell Road.
On Friday, the Omaha office alone issued 42 tornado warnings, including some within Nebraska and Iowa. The Johnston office issued two dozen additional warnings for western and central Iowa.
Meteorologist Reed Timmer has posted videos of the tornadoes on X (formerly Twitter). Videos and photos of the wreckage and severe weather can also be found in other X and Facebook posts.
Extreme up-close video of the destructive Elkhorn, Nebraska wedge #tornado on April 26 pic.twitter.com/Pe5i1nrvqx
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) April 29, 2024
Meanwhile, after 100 related injuries were reported in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt also declared a state of emergency in 12 counties, stating that the damage in Sulpher is among the worst he’s seen.
During the Oklahoma twisters, four people died, including one infant found dead in Hughes County.
Tornadoes impact agricultural operations
Jones Cattle Company was one of the agricultural operations impacted by the storms. Buildings were destroyed, and trees were downed. Thankfully, the farm was spared the loss of any animals.
Another farm near Defiance, Iowa, reported losses of buildings and equipment.
An equine therapy program slated to open near Omaha, Nebraska, suffered severe damage to a home and lost buildings, fencing, and horses during the tornadoes.
This is a developing story with damages still being tallied and more of “tornado season” to come throughout May and early June.