Damaging Winds in Iowa, August 24, 1998

Severe thunderstorms developed over North Central Iowa and moved eastward into Buchanan County downing trees, limbs and powerlines across the county. The storms then pushed east across Northeast Iowa and into Illinois leaving a trail of damage. Numerous homes and farm buildings were damaged by the winds and several vehicles were smashed by falling trees and branches. A 1996 International daycab tractor trailer traveling south on Hwy 38 sustained $35,000 in damage when it was overturned by strong winds north of Sand Springs. North of Maquoketa another semi on U.S. 61 was blown over. One homeowner south of Dubuque lost more than 50 trees on his 1.7 acre property, a fountain was smashed and rain gutters were ripped from his house. Bellevue State Park was closed due to nearly 100 downed trees. Damage to homes, trees and property in and around the cities of Andrew, Bernard, Cascade, and Springbrook was severe. In Dubuque strong winds ripped the roof off an Elementary school. The roof then caved in over four of the classrooms filling the rooms with insulation and debris. There were no injuries to the 190 students and 12 teachers at the school.