DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Strong thunderstorms moving through Iowa are leaving tree branches scattered and in some locations breaking through power lines causing outages.  MidAmerican Energy reports 1,640 customers without power with most of them located in the Des Moines area but dozens in Council Bluffs and Sioux City.  Alliant Energy says it has 350 customers out mostly around Boone.  No injuries have been reported.

The storms packed winds estimated at 70 miles per hour as they moved through central Iowa. Tree branches as large as 7 inches in diameter were knocked from trees. Hail at least  3/4 of an inch around was reported in some locations. Storms moved quickly across the state but a strong system with the potential for high wind and possible tornado activity will arrive Friday afternoon and evening.