(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the National Weather Service report that a tornado affecting parts of Page, Montgomery and Adams counties has a preliminary rating of EF-3, with estimated peak winds of 140-to 150-miles per hour. The event began at 2:43-p.m. and ended at 3:19-p.m. The 1,300 yard wide tornado traveled 32 miles.

The damage was limited primarily to rural areas of Adams County. Officials say five or six houses were destroyed, two homes sustained major damage, and fences, livestock, and several wind turbines were toppled.

Corning, Iowa – Officials with the Adams Community Foundation say a Disaster Recovery Fund (DRF) has been established to support vulnerable populations following the severe weather events on May 21, 2024. The DRF provides an opportunity for the public to give, with the reassurance that donations will be quickly moved to resources where they are needed most to adapt to evolving needs. The flexibility of the fund ensures that the county can respond to supplement needs being provided by existing nonprofit, local, state, and federal programs.

Adams Community Foundation President Nancy Turner said “Our county has proven that we are better together, and this collaborative spirit will once again prevail as we support our neighbors in need.” The Adams Community Foundation has committed an immediate $500 to the DRF. Join us in giving to support Adams County: https://desmoinesfoundation.org/AdamsCountyDisasterRecovery.

Funds received will first focus on disproportionately affected communities by addressing economic barriers and health impacts of populations negatively impacted by disaster. The long-term application of the fund will focus on additional needs that are not already being met that may inevitably arise. Grants will be provided to community-based organizations and service providers active in current response and will not be made available for individual application. A team of community leaders and grantmakers will work together to identify recipients with deep roots in the community and experience delivering support and services to vulnerable populations in moments of crisis.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Officials with Alliant Energy report Alliant’s crews are beginning to reestablish natural gas services in Greenfield. The process will begin in the north half of town. Crews will go door-to-door requesting access to each home or businesses to safely relight natural gas appliances. An adult (18 years or older) must be present for technicians to enter your home. If you are not home when they come to relight, they will leave a message on your front door or garage door to call Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268) for an appointment. Please note, all Alliant Energy employees carry badges with photo identification.  

ALLIANT ENERGY INFORMATION OFFICE:  

Alliant Energy has set up a temporary information office at the Warren Cultural Center (154 Public Square) in Greenfield for customers seeking gas service information or other inquiries.  

Alliant Energy customer service is also available at 1-800-ALLIANT (800-255-4268).  

CHARGING STATION AVAILABLE:  

Alliant Energy has a mobile charging station available at the Warren Cultural Center (154 Public Square) in Greenfield. Electronic devices can be charged for free.   

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports several Iowa state parks have been impacted by recent heavy rains and storms, causing closures in some areas. Visitors are urged to plan in advance heading into the holiday weekend in case a park activity or location is affected.

Impacted parks include:

Backbone State Park (Delaware County) – The north gate entrance is currently closed. Mud and sand are on the road in the flats area. Debris and logs are along the trout stream road. Staff will reopen the north entrance once roadway cleanup is complete.

Big Creek State Park (Polk County) – Flash flooding has caused high water at Big Creek Lake, which should recede by the weekend. Damage from flooding will be assessed once water levels go down, but is expected to be minor. Access to docks at the marina may be impacted.

Dolliver Memorial State Park (Webster County) – The road in the central part of the park is currently closed due to flooding. The campground, cabins, and center lodge will be closed through the Memorial Day weekend. The north shelter and south lodge will be accessible.

George Wyth State Park (Black Hawk County) – The park is closed through Memorial Day weekend and possibly longer due to flooding and the potential for more rain. The park is closed to all traffic including driving, walking and biking.

Ledges State Park (Boone County) – The canyon drive is currently closed to vehicle traffic due to flash flooding. Visitors can hike into the canyon from the Oak Woods picnic area (near the Canyon entrance gates) but are advised not to enter the rapid, rising streams. As the Des Moines River crests Friday, the county road (Oriole Road) on the west side of the park is expected to be flooded.

Rock Creek State Park (Jasper County) – the west road to the beach, in addition to the beach, beach boat ramp, west shelter and trail access are all closed due to flash flooding. Some campsites will be closed due to debris and flooding. Visitors should avoid any dock that is in a bind or not in its normal location. The south end boat ramp and shelter also are closed due to excessive debris and damage. The lake contains a significant amount of new debris and trees from recent rains.

Walnut Woods State Park (Polk County) – The Purple Martin Water Resource Area has experienced flooding. The area will remain open, but part of the loop trail is inaccessible.

Wapsipinicon State Park (Jones County) – The Wapsipinicon River is expected to flood parts of the park. Staff plan to close some roads starting Friday, May 24, which will make the lodge and playground shelter inaccessible.

Additionally, several trails are closed to equestrian and bike use at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, Elk Rock State Park, Stephens State Forest and Volga River State Recreation Area due to wet conditions.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid driving through high water and to use extra safety precautions for water recreation activities due to swift currents and debris in many lakes and rivers. Additionally, be aware of potential tree debris within parks in mowed areas and on trails; staff are cleaning as they are able. A full listing of alerts and closures can be found at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board met earlier this week, and acted on several matters. Superintendent Eric Trager tells KJAN News, following a Public Hearing, the Board approved the Bus Garage low bids and will get started on the project this Summer.

The Board also approved a Budget Amendment, following a Public Hearing.

In other business, the Audubon School Board, Monday, approved a 2024-25 Cross Country Sharing Agreement with Exira-EHK, where E-EHK is the host. The took no action, however, on a 2024-25 Junior High Football Sharing Agreement with Exira-EHK.

Eric Trager is retiring on June 18^th. He says he’s not given a whole lot of thought to what he’ll do following that last day.

The next meeting of the Audubon School Board takes place in their High School Board Room on June 17^th, beginning at 7-p.m.

(Radio Iowa) – There’s still no official tally on how many houses were damaged or destroyed in Greenfield by Tuesday’s massive tornado — easily dozens — and the community shelter set up in the town’s Nodaway Valley High School remains a very busy place. Emily Holley, spokeswoman for the Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross, says the agency is planning to keep that shelter open at least for several more days.  “A lot of times when things like this happen, folks will stay in their homes for maybe a little bit longer, thinking, ‘Okay, I can make this work,’ and then, after a few days, they realize that maybe that’s not great,” Holley says. “That’s why we’re leaving the shelter open. That’s why we are available for folks who need a place to stay, or even just a place to kind of regroup.”

While Greenfield saw the worst damage, that was one of at least six tornadoes in Iowa on Tuesday, while there are reports of hail, high winds or flash flooding in at least another 40 counties. Holley says the Red Cross is working with storm survivors all over the state. “We also have teams going out in the emergency response vehicles, delivering relief supplies, gloves and tarps,” Holley says, “and it’s also a good opportunity for us to speak with folks who have been impacted, to get a handle on what they need and the services that we can provide.” Another important element in the disaster recovery process is being handled by what Holley calls spiritual care and mental health support.

A tornado-ravaged home in Greenfield. (Photo by Melissa Ehrman Johnson of Atlantic)

“Our hearts are with the folks of Greenfield and everyone who has been impacted. There has been loss of life and we want to make sure that people are taking care of their minds and their spirits through this time as well,” Holley says. “That is another service that we are offering and we have available for folks who need it.”

Those who need help can contact the agency at 1-800-RED CROSS, while Iowans who’d like to donate to the relief effort should visit: redcross.org/donate.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred on May 21, 2024.

The letter requests activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans for the following four (4) counties: Adair, Polk, Story, and Montgomery. In addition, the letter requests the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for Adair County. Additional counties may be added once the request is approved.

Funding under the FEMA Individual Assistance Program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses access to programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program provides homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations in the affected counties whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, the ability to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.

The FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides funds that can be used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, severe weather.

In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.

The letter can be read in its entirety here.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic have announced Registered Nurse Michele Williams, is the newest recipient of the Cass Health Spirit of Volunteerism Award. Williams began working at Cass Health in July 1997, and many patients know her for her work in obstetrics and the emergency department.

Williams was nominated specifically for her volunteer work for the Massena ambulance. Her nominator wrote: “Michele Williams volunteers for her hometown emergency ambulance services in Massena and even though she is a registered nurse, she is also a registered advanced emergency medical technician. She has been doing this for about 7 years. She took over managing the ambulance, making sure the ambulance service adheres to regulations for the emergency services which includes having the medications they need when responding to emergencies and complying with those rules. EMS volunteers have to be ready to go at any time and are often called on at nights, weekends, during family get-togethers, and holidays. We don’t appreciate them enough and only think about them if and when we need them. I feel privileged to know that if I need to call 911 for help, that Michele may be in that ambulance that comes to help me or my family.”

Photos courtesy CCHS

With her own family in attendance, Williams was surprised at work with this award. “My husband kept a huge secret! I was very surprised when I won this award! I was also honored. It is nice to be recognized. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes things that people don’t see, and it makes me feel good to know that it matters,” said Williams.

Williams commented that she does it because she likes to help people. “I know the people in Massena and Cumberland and want to make sure if they are sick or hurt someone will be there to help them,” she said. As part of the Spirit of Volunteerism Award, the winner receives a $250 check to donate to the non-profit organization of their choosing. “I chose the Cass County Fair because there are a lot of young people in the surrounding communities that participate. I know things are getting expensive and we need to help keep our fair free so everyone can come out and enjoy it,” Williams said.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Officials with the Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency said late Wednesday night, that access to Greenfield continues to be limited, to permit access for equipment operators and contractors to conduct cleanup efforts using heavy equipment. Only volunteers connected to residents within the City of Greenfield or authorized contractors will be permitted entry. All other individuals will be refused access to ensure safety and efficient recovery operations.

Volunteers should enter Greenfield from the north on Highway 25 at 9:00am or after. Volunteers will be directed to parking and buses will be utilized to take volunteers to appropriate worksites.

Contractors requiring authorization should enter from the east on Highway 92. Contractors with existing authorization should enter from the north on Highway 25.

Officials say “This process is being utilized to minimize traffic congestion in impacted areas and facilitate safe operating conditions for volunteers in the area. Please avoid parking vehicles and trailers in the immediate disaster area. Where possible, please minimize the number of vehicles brought into the city.”