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Storm Events Database
Event Details
| Event | Thunderstorm Wind |
| Magnitude | 57 kts. |
| State | IOWA |
| County/Area | PALO ALTO |
| WFO | DMX |
| Begin Date | 08/08/2010 19:58:00 CST-6 |
| Begin Range | 1 |
| Begin Azimuth | NE |
| Begin Location | GRAETTINGER |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 43.24/-94.75 |
| End Date | 08/08/2010 19:58:00 CST-6 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 25.00K |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | A very unstable airmass was in place over Iowa. Afternoon temperatures warmed into the upper 80s to mid 90s, with dewpoint readings in the upper 70s to low 80s. A weak boundary extended out of eastern Nebraska across northern Iowa. This boundary helped to focus moisture. At the same time, a negatively tilted shortwave lifted northeast out of the Rockies into Nebraska during the afternoon and early evening. The lifted index fell to -10 to -14 C by evening with CAPE rising to 5000-7000 J/kg in the very moist airmass. The freezing level was very high, between 16,000 and 17,000 feet. As a result, there was little in the way of hail. The downdraft CAPE was quite high, 800 to 1400 J/kg. Thunderstorms formed in northeast Nebraska. They rapidly formed into an upscale MCS, and eventually a full-fledged MCC. Precipitable water values were extremely high, in the 2.5 to 2.75 inch range. The primary mode of severe weather with the system was in the form of high wind. Wind gusts of 60 to 70 MPH caused sporadic damage across western into central Iowa with tree damage, as well as damage to outbuildings. The storms produced one funnel cloud in Carroll County. The high precipitable water values led to very heavy rainfall with widespread flash flooding. A swath of 2 to 5 inch rainfall extended from west central, through central, into parts of southeast Iowa. There were numerous reports of a foot or more of flowing water over streets. Following the flash flooding, water remained standing on many roads due to the soils across the state being nearly saturated. This resulted in some road closures. The Des Moines metropolitan area was hard hit as 3 to 5 inches of rain fell in 4 hours or less. This caused extensive flooding in the city. Some evacuations took place. One was at a trailer court along Four Mile Creek on the east side of Des Moines. Numerous roads were closed on the west side as well as Walnut Creek jumped its banks. In fact, the creek set an all-time record high stage. Fast rising waters of North Walnut Creek flooded four basement apartment units in Clive with water rescues taking place. Lightning struck a house in Adel, setting it on fire. The family was asleep at the time and were rescued by the fire department after the house had been on fire for 45 minutes. Damage to the house was around $1,000,000 as it was a total loss, burned to the ground. In Black Hawk County, lightning struck the water treatment plant in Cedar Falls. Power was knocked out, resulting in the discharge of 750,000 gallons of sewage into the Cedar River. Lightning struck the historical depot in Carroll, now the Chamber of Commerce, and caused minor damage to the roof. It also knocked out telephone service to 3 adjacent buildings. |
| Event Narrative | Local law enforcement reported streets closed due to downed trees in Graettinger. |
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 3.299M | 65.00K | |||||||
| SCHALLER | SAC CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:05 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| SCHALLER | SAC CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:10 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 300.00K | 15.00K |
| LYTTON | CALHOUN CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:25 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| JOLLEY | CALHOUN CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:37 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 62 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 50.00K |
| ROCKWELL CITY | CALHOUN CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:41 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 54 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 3.00K | 0.00K |
| FONDA | POCAHONTAS CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:45 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| LAURENS | POCAHONTAS CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:45 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| FONDA | POCAHONTAS CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:45 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| POMEROY | CALHOUN CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:50 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 15.00K | 0.00K |
| TEMPLETON | CARROLL CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:50 | CST-6 | Funnel Cloud | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| WELLINGFORD | EMMET CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:53 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 61 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| GRAETTINGER | PALO ALTO CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 19:58 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| JEFFERSON | GREENE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| CARROLL | CARROLL CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:00 | CST-6 | Lightning | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K | |
| JEFFERSON | GREENE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| LYTTON | SAC CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:00 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| ROELYN | WEBSTER CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:13 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 1.00K | 0.00K |
| (FOD)FT DODGE MUNI A | WEBSTER CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:22 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| ALGONA | KOSSUTH CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:22 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| WELLINGFORD | EMMET CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:23 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| DAKOTA CITY | HUMBOLDT CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:24 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| EAGLE GROVE | WRIGHT CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:41 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 50 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BOONE MUNI ARPT | BOONE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 20:58 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 54 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| EMMETSBURG | PALO ALTO CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:04 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| WAUKEE | DALLAS CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:09 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 30.00K | 0.00K |
| COMMERCE | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:15 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| CARROLL | CARROLL CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:15 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 100.00K | 0.00K | |
| GLIDDEN | CARROLL CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:20 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K | |
| HAMPTON | FRANKLIN CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:25 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 57 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| RIPPEY | GREENE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:32 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K | |
| MARSHALLTOWN | MARSHALL CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:38 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| RIPPEY | GREENE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:45 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K | |
| BRISTOW | BUTLER CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:45 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K |
| ADEL | DALLAS CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:45 | CST-6 | Lightning | 0 | 0 | 1.000M | 0.00K | |
| MARSHALLTOWN | MARSHALL CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 21:49 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| NEWTON | JASPER CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| BOONE MUNI ARPT | BOONE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| DES MOINES | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| DES MOINES | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:10 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| PLAINFIELD | BREMER CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:12 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 56 kts. MG | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| BAYARD | GUTHRIE CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:20 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 1.00K | 0.00K |
| TRIPOLI | BREMER CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:30 | CST-6 | Thunderstorm Wind | 52 kts. EG | 0 | 0 | 2.00K | 0.00K |
| WINDSOR HGTS | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:30 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| WAUKEE | DALLAS CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:33 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| CLOVER HILLS | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:42 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| CEDAR FALLS | BLACK HAWK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 22:45 | CST-6 | Lightning | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K | |
| NEVADA | STORY CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 23:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| ALTOONA | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 23:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| RIDER | POLK CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 23:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 08/08/2010 | 23:39 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| ALBIA | MONROE CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 00:00 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| ERICSON | BOONE CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 00:17 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| WINDSOR HGTS | POLK CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 01:15 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 300.00K | 0.00K | |
| RIDER | POLK CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 01:25 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| NEWTON | JASPER CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 01:30 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| WEST DES MOINES | POLK CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 01:59 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 75.00K | 0.00K | |
| DALLAS CENTER | DALLAS CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:00 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| LIDDERDALE | CARROLL CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:20 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| RANDALL | HAMILTON CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:32 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| AMES ARPT | STORY CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:41 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 5.00K | 0.00K | |
| YOUNGSTOWN | POLK CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:42 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 500.00K | 0.00K | |
| AMES | STORY CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:42 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| IOWA CENTER | STORY CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 03:42 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| BOONE | BOONE CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 04:03 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 50.00K | 0.00K | |
| CAMBRIDGE | STORY CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 04:30 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 75.00K | 0.00K | |
| LAKONTA | MAHASKA CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 05:30 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K | |
| KELLEY | STORY CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 05:30 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| GOWRIE | WEBSTER CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 07:02 | CST-6 | Heavy Rain | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K | |
| CAMBRIDGE | STORY CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 07:49 | CST-6 | Flood | 0 | 0 | 250.00K | 0.00K | |
| AGENCY | WAPELLO CO. | IA | 08/09/2010 | 09:00 | CST-6 | Flash Flood | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K | |
| Totals: | 0 | 0 | 3.299M | 65.00K |


