DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A flurry of unexpected tornadoes swept through central Iowa, injuring at least 17 people, flattening buildings in three cities and forcing the evacuation of a hospital.

Residents — and even weather forecasters — were taken by surprise Thursday as the tornadoes hit Marshalltown, Pella and Bondurant. Ten people were injured in Marshalltown and seven at a factory near Pella, but no deaths were reported.

Alex Krull, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines, said forecasting models produced Thursday morning showed only a slight chance of strong thunderstorms later in the day.

“This morning, it didn’t look like tornadic supercells were possible,” Krull said. “If anything, we were expecting we could get some large hail, if strong storms developed.”

Marshalltown, a city of 27,000 people about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Des Moines, appeared to have been hit the hardest. Brick walls collapsed in the streets, roofs were blown off buildings and the cupola of the historic courthouse tumbled 175 feet (53 meters) to the ground.

The only hospital in Marshalltown was damaged, spokeswoman Amy Varcoe said. All 40 of the patients at UnityPoint Health were being transferred to the health system’s larger hospital in Waterloo as well as one in Grundy Center, she said.

The emergency room in the smaller Marshalltown hospital remained open to treat patients injured in the storm, Varcoe said. Ten people hurt in the storm had been treated, she said. She did not know how serious those patients’ injuries were.

Marshalltown resident Stephanie Moz said she, her husband and 2-month-old baby were in the downtown clothing store she owns when tornado sirens went off. The family sought shelter in the building’s basement and heard “cracking and booms and explosions” as the tornado passed.

The storm broke out a window, ruining clothing and hats on display there, and destroyed her husband’s vehicle. But she said she’s relieved.

“We went through a tornado and survived,” Moz said. “I’m happy.”

Additional funnels were reported as the storm moved east of Des Moines past Altoona, Prairie City and Colfax.

National Weather Service meteorologist Rod Donavon said two primary storms spawned the series of tornadoes. One developed in the Marshalltown area, causing damage there, while the other started east of Des Moines and traveled through Bondurant and into Pella.

The exact number of tornadoes and their strength will be determined later.

Iowa State Rep. Mark Smith, who lives in Marshalltown, told Des Moines station KCCI-TV that the area likely will be declared a disaster area. Smith said much of downtown was damaged. He said his house and neighborhood were spared, but surrounding homes were hit.

“There are houses with windows out, houses without roofs,” he said. “It’s just an absolute mess.”

Another tornado hit agricultural machinery maker Vermeer Manufacturing in the town of Pella, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Des Moines. People were still working at the plant at the time. The storm scattered huge sheets of metal through a parking lot and left one building with a huge hole in it.

Seven people injured at the plant were taken to Pella Regional Health Center, hospital spokeswoman Billie Rhamy said. They all were released after being treated for their minor injuries, Rhamy said.

Gov. Kim Reynolds told WHO-TV in Des Moines that two of Vermeer’s buildings in Pella were demolished in the storm. She said Vermeer was hosting 500 customers for an appreciation day when the weather hit. She credited the company’s security team with moving them all to safety.

Reynolds added that in Marshalltown, the state is providing a communications trailer and workers to help maintain emergency communications there. She said Marshalltown’s building housing its local communications system was damaged.

On July 19, 2018 at approximately 5:15 a.m. officers at the Red Oak Police Department were summoned to the 1200 block of East Corning Street for a reported stolen vehicle. Upon arrival and investigation into the incident, it was determined that a two-tone blue over silver 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab pickup owned by William Guyer had been stolen from the driveway. The 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 was bearing Iowa License EGF 227 and stolen from the residence sometime between the hours of 22:00 on July 18,2018 and 05:00 on July 19,2019. Anyone who may see or encounter this vehicle is encouraged to contact your local authorities or the Red Oak Police Department at 712-623-6500 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-434-2712.

Also during the overnight hours on July 18, 2018 there were two other vehicles that had been entered and steering columns broke in attempt to steal the vehicle.

The first attempt was in the 200 Block  of East Grimes St, the unknown person(s) did enter into an unlocked 1998 Ford F-150 owned by Amanda Serna. The Vehicle was entered, steering column broke, as an attempt to get the vehicle started but were unsuccessful. Nothing was stolen from the vehicle and only thing damaged on the vehicle was the ignition/steering column.

The Second attempt was in the 800 Block of East Nuckols St, the unknown person(s) did enter into an unlocked 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab pickup owned by Dale and Christina Johnson. This vehicle was also entered, a center console had been rummaged through and the steering column had also been broke, in an attempt to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. Nothing was stolen from the vehicle and approximately $100 Damage occurred to the vehicle.

It is believed that all three incidents are related, anyone who may have observed any suspicious activity are encouraged to contact The Red Oak Police Department at 712-623-6500 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-434-2712.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest of a homeless man on Wednesday. 18-year-old Dillon Weaver was arrested on a Mills County Warrant for Disorderly Conduct. He was held on $300 cash or surety bond.