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Storm damages trees, buildings in Onawa

News, Weather

May 30th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) — Stormy weather caused significant problems in the western Iowa city of Onawa, blowing down trees and damaging buildings. Onawa Mayor Bob Skelton told the Sioux City Journal that strong winds damaged many trees. Awnings also were ripped off, windows broken, a stoplight was knocked down and three street lights were damaged.

A wind gust also caused the front of a car dealership to collapse, sending concrete blocks onto two late-model vehicles. Knoepfler Chevrolet sales associate Garry Ellison says the gust lasted about 15 seconds. No one was injured in the dealership.

Police say most damage was confined to a nine-block area in the northwest part of town. National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Fobert says damage apparently was caused by a thunderstorm and not a tornado.