(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency report a Tornado Resource and Relief Open House will take place Tuesday, May 28th, at the Veterans Memorial Building (1104 Morningview Dr.), in Harlan. The event will be held from 5-until 8-p.m. Shelby County EMA will host government disaster officials, local aid providers and other, that include:

• FEMA
• West Central Community Action
• Local insurance adjusters
• Mental health providers
• Shelby County State Bank.

The Shelby County Cattleman’s Association will provide food for the event. The Shelby County EMA will also be recognizing groups that assisted with the cleanup process.

Anyone who has questions regarding tornado relief efforts is welcome to attend.

(Walnut, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol reports one person died and another was injured in a crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 80 westbound, near Walnut. The Patrol says a 2021 Freightliner semi driven by 85-year-old Kenneth Turner, of Norman, IN, was stopped in the left lane of I-80 near mile marker 48.55, due to a prior crash that had taken place.

A 2015 Honda Odyssey van driven by 45-year-old Emma Gonzalez-Maldonado, of Lincoln, NE., was traveling westbound on I-80 in the left lane, and failed to slow down and come to a stop. The van struck the semi before it spun-out and struck a third vehicle’s trailer. The third vehicle sustained no damage, and pulled-off to the shoulder of the road. The accident happened at around 4-p.m.

The van came to rest on the right shoulder of the Interstate. Gonzalez-Maldonado died at the scene. A passenger in the van, 18-year-old Emily Elizabeth Esteban, of Lincoln, NE., was injured, and transported by Walnut EMS to Myrtue Memorial Hospital, in Harlan. Both women were wearing their seat belts.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency Director Brian Hamman reports “Montgomery County was impacted by several rounds of severe weather on May 21, 2024, including multiple confirmed tornadoes, significant wind and hail and ongoing river flooding. (Photos courtesy Brian Hamman)

Red Oak Water Treatment plant building

Montgomery County Communications Tower

“Initial residential damage assessments conducted have revealed 28 homes directly impacted by tornadoes with damage ranging from affected to destroyed. A number of critical public facilities have been damaged and/or destroyed including a county owned 300’ radio communications tower and significant damage to Hacklebarney Park.

“No injuries have been reported and the total value of loss is not available at this time. Damage assessments will continue Thursday, May 23rd, between Emergency Management and the National Weather Service.

“As a result of today’s [Tuesday’s] severe weather and damage sustained, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, City of Red Oak and Emergency Management Commission have signed a Declaration of Disaster Emergency authorized under Iowa State Statute and the Montgomery County Comprehensive Emergency Plan. Jurisdictions will execute the expenditure of emergency funds from all available sources, the invoking of mutual aid agreements, and apply to the State of Iowa for disaster emergency assistance, as applicable.

CURRENT ROAD CLOSURES:
• J Ave between 210th x 230th due to flash flooding and culvert damage.
• Hacklebarney Park – Closed until further notice.”

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg reports “The Adair County Courthouse will be closed Wednesday, May 22^nd.  The Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for May 22^nd has also been cancelled.” Berg said also, My prayers go out to everyone that was affected by today’s [Tuesday’s] tornado.  “