(Atlantic, Iowa) – As mentioned in an earlier report, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Wednesday issued a disaster proclamation for Cass and five other counties affected by severe storms on Tuesday, April 16^th, 2024. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon was in a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday morning. Afterward, he received word from residents and local officials in the area, wanting him to take a look about damage from a possible tornado having occurred in Anita, near the golf course, across a subdivision, a business on the north side of Highway 83, and at Lake Anita State Park.

Damage area image courtesy Mike Kennon

The damage occurred at around 10-a.m., Tuesday. Kennon says 12 homes were identified as having some minor damage. Broken windows, siding and trim, shingles and ridge caps, as well as garage doors, sustained damage in some parts of Anita. Numerous trees also fell, to varying degrees. Mike Kennon said the nursing home in Anita also appeared to have sustained damage from the weather event.

While the skies turned dark in Atlantic and parts of Cass County, late Tuesday morning, Kennon said there were no warnings issued by the National Weather Service at the time.

As mentioned, the governor’s proclamation open’s up the possibility of individual assistance that can be accessed, according to Kennon.

He said there may also be other, widespread damage from a storm front that passed through Cass County Tuesday afternoon. Strong winds affected most, if not all of the county. Kennon said Persons with property damage, who have not already done so, should contact Mike Kennon at 712-254-1500. And, if you happen to have photos of the severe weather event as it was occurring, you can send those to Mike Kennon at mkennon@casscoia.us .