Tornado likely hit county briefly Tuesday

LEE COUNTY – National Weather Service storm evaluators are in the area today surveying damage done from Tuesday’s early evening storm that left parts of the area without power into the night.
The severe storm set off weather alert sirens in and around Fort Madison at about 6 p.m., interrupting the Fort Madison City Council meeting and sending debris from trees and power lines sprawling across the city.
Fort Madison Public Works Director Mark Bousselot said all of the city parks have been damaged and all are temporarily closed.
“We’re going to close them just until we can get them cleaned up,” Bousselot said.
“I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but for now, they’re closed.”
Bousselot did put a timeline on getting debris into the city right of way so crews can pick it up.
“It’s clean up time. The City has put out on social media that we will be picking up branches and debris from trees. But we ask that it all be cut to reasonable size and put in the right of way, but not near any water hydrants, signs, or meter pits,” he said.
“We don’t want to snag anything while we work to clean it up. And we’re also asking that all that be done prior to Friday, June 13.”
Bousselot said the priorities are getting roadways open and getting all the debris pushed to the sides of the roadways.
The city had random power outages throughout the community with sections on both the east and west side of town.
Bousselot said Rodeo Park has damage and has power outages there, as well, but priority will be to get power restored to homes before they get to parks. He said that most power has been restored in the city.
Fort Madison Fire Chief Chad Hannum issued an all-call for all firefighters while attending the City Council meeting and left when power dropped.

“We began receiving notifications of multiple downed power lines and hazards developing across the city,” Hannum wrote in a release Wednesday morning.
“Shortly after, a report came in of a tree that had fallen onto a residence, bringing down live electrical lines, and causing the home to begin filling with smoke.”
Hannum said upon arrival at the single-story residence, crews encountered light smoke showing from the structure. The homeowners had taken shelter in the garage while rain continued to fall. Firefighters made entry and successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further spread and damage.
Hannum said throughout the night, Fort Madison fire crews responded to over 50 storm-related incidents, including downed power lines, trees blocking roads with entangled wires, and electrical hazards.
“Tonight was a clear example of Fort Madison's strength and readiness,” Hannum wrote. “Our firefighters, public works employees, law enforcement, and utilities all worked together quickly and professionally to respond to a dynamic and dangerous situation. We’re grateful no serious injuries occurred and thankful for the quick action by everyone involved.”
Hannum reminded residents to stay clear of downed power lines as they continue to assess damage and respond as necessary.
Lee County Emergency Management Director Jason Dinwiddie said National Weather Service crews were in the county Wednesday morning and haven’t officially made a determination.
Diwiddie, ironically, was giving a presentation to the Fort Madison City Council on disaster mitigation plans right before the storm hit the area. He said it would appear a tornado did touch down in the county.
“Their belief is that a tornado touched down by that train derailment, and by radar information,  turned into a straight-line wind event on the west side of Fort Madison. The tell for them seems to be that the train cars that derailed were laying in different directions,” Dinwiddie said.
Lee County Engineer Ben Hull said county crews were out until about 10:30 opening roads that were blocked by debris, or blocking off roads for area electric companies to do their work.
“Everything is opened back up except for 239th Avenue near the trail derailment.
“That seemed to be the worst area of damage, just west of the jail, and from what I’ve seen, that sure looks like a tornado to me,” Hull said.