Tornadoes and Hail in Iowa, June 18, 1998

Thunderstorms roared through Van Buren County leaving a trail of destruction. Numerous trees were downed across the county including 20 trees, valued at $4000, at Harmony Middle School in Farmington. Also in Farmington, the roof at Harmony High School was damaged, a light fixture at the front of the building was broken, and high winds blew down the outfield fence of the baseball field. A large maple tree, uprooted by the winds, fell against the corner of a home in Farmington causing major damage to the roof and eaves. A bar and an adjacent building were closed due to possible structural damage after windows were blown out of the buildings At least 14 power lines were downed across the Farmington area, and a large machine shed was destroyed by the thunderstorms. In Mt. Sterling an aluminum building blown onto a road knocked down a power line. A funnel cloud was reported near Douds along with damages reports of downed trees or power lines in Douds, Bonaparte, Cantril, Milton, Stockport and Mt Sterling.

Buildings were damaged by strong thunderstorm winds.

Strong thunderstorm winds with gusts up to 60 mph downed trees and power lines across the county.

Strong thunderstorm winds uprooted, shattered and splintered nearly two acres of trees at Backbone State Park. Between 50 and 100 oaks, maples, and basswood trees were destroyed. Campgrounds were also damaged by the high winds and one tent was flattened by a falling tree. No injuries were reported to the occupants of the tent. They sought shelter in a campground shower house before the tree fell.

There were numerous reports of damage caused by the hail.

Windshields were broken by golf ball size hail.

High winds from strong thunderstorms buffeted Jefferson County, causing damage to Fairfield and surrounding areas. The wind measuring equipment at Fairfield Flying Service, and a large sign at Fesler Auto Mall were destroyed by thunderstorm winds. Northwestern and western parts of Fairfield suffered the substantial property damage. A roof was blown off the GTE warehouse and a section of roof was ripped off Winfrey Storage. Numerous trees were blown down. One maple fell on a vacant house and another fallen tree destroyed a gas meter, broke windows and damaged eaves on another home. Streets around the area were blocked until the gas leak was repaired. A motorist driving a pickup had a brush with death when a large ash tree fell and part of the tree hit the truck's bed and dented the sidewalls. Another tree dropped on a four wheel drive Scout and boat. South of Fairfield a horse barn on Middle Glasgow Road was destroyed and a double car garage on Glasgow Road was blown down. High winds also flattened a grain storage bin near Libertyville.

Large hail fell through the roof of a home causing extensive damage.

Baseball size hail falling for more than 15 minutes caused widespread damage to homes and vehicles across the Iowa City area. Numerous windshields were broken and vehicles dented. Several reports of hail breaking through fiberglass awnings and lightweight shelters were also received.

A line of fast moving thunderstorms downed numerous tree limbs and power lines across Cedar Rapids leaving 12,000 customers of Alliant-IES Utilities without power. Wind peeled the outer membrane from a roof of a business allowing water to soak the suspended-ceiling tiles. The waterlogged tiles then gave way damaging portions of the carpet, but missing showcases and merchandise. One man was injured when strong winds lifted then flattened the large beer tent he was in at Hiawatha's Hog Wild Days.

Strong thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines across the tri-state area of Northeast Iowa, Northern Illinois, and Southwest Wisconsin. Approximately 2000 customers of Alliant Utilities lost power during the storm.In the city of Dubuque numerous trees blocked streets with one tree falling on a pickup truck. At Sacred Heart Church the wind broke the face of the steeple clock, and at Loras College damage was sustained when lightning struck the boiler smokestack in the maintenance building. There was some basement flooding in the Loras College fieldhouse. Also in Dubuque, the roof was ripped off the Harbor Place Mall leaving 2 to 3 inches of standing water in the building, and another $5000 worth of damage was reported at the airport when strong gusts peeled panels off a hanger roof. Near Worthington a roof was blown off a large barn and seven other farm buildings were damaged by strong winds. Northeast of Luxemburg a farm received substantial damage when thunderstorm winds damaged a hog building, cattle shed, and several other farmsheds. One shed, used for storing vehicles and farm equipment, was ripped apart resulting in major damage to the vehicles inside the shed. The family home also sustained minor damage.

A storm system blasting across Southeast Iowa produced 60 mph thunderstorm winds and dumped 1 to 2 inches of heavy rain across central Henry County. Damage caused by falling trees and lightning resulted in power outages across 10 counties served by Southeast Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative. On U.S. highway 218 near Salem a semi was blown over by the high winds and in Geode State Park a camper trailer was blown over.

City residents and businesses were left without electricity after strong thunderstorms raced across Lee county. Numerous trees and power lines downed by the storm blocked streets and caused damage in Fort Madison. Several vehicles were smashed by fallen trees and branches, and 911 dispatchers had difficulty routing calls due to power problems. Heavy rains associated with the thunderstorms also resulted in minor street flooding between 21st Street and 26th Street in Fort Madison. A major historical landmark was destroyed when winds blew off the roof then caused walls to collapse at the old Fort Madison depot. This building had been recognized as the oldest surviving railway station in the State of Iowa. High winds toppled two fifteen foot steeples at the historic St Mary's Church. Major damage was sustained to the copper roof and gutters, and water leaking through the damaged roof caused additional damage to restrooms inside the church.

Two homes were destroyed and trees were uprooted when a tornado touched down near Oakville. One minor injury was reported when the tornado rolled and damaged a mobile home. Twelve other residences sustained $130,000 in damages. Besides the two homes which were destroyed, two others were moved off their foundations. Roofs were torn off, and four garages were demolished.

A brief tornado touchdown resulted in tree and roof damage and a missing boat at a home near Grandview.

About 5000 utility customers were without power after thunderstorms roared across Des Moines County. Several parked cars were damaged after strong winds blew out windows of buildings in the 300 block of Valley Street. Across Burlington numerous reports of downed trees were received, and the main outdoor stage at the Burlington Steamboat Days was damaged after a large scaffolding fell on top of the sound mixer.

A new grain bin and several older farm buildings were damaged by strong winds.

Strong thunderstorm winds toppled trees in the Walcott area. One large maple tree smashed a corn crib full of soybeans. About 3,000 bushels of beans were spilled and a farm wagon on the lower level of the corn crib was crushed by the falling building.

Strong thunderstorm winds destroyed a dairy barn and ripped the roof off another barn in Northeastern Jackson county. One home was destroyed as strong winds drove barn beams through the walls, shattered glass and spread dirt and debris inside the home.

Widespread tree damage was reported due to strong thunderstorm winds.