Iowa, 1998

High Wind in Iowa, November 10, 1998

November 10, 1998 · NWS ARX · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

One of the most powerful low pressure systems in 25 years caused hurricane force winds with gusts up to 90 mph. Widespread damage occurred to vehicles, signs, buildings and trees, while thousands were left without power for hours.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
2
Property damage
$1.5 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ARX wrote it up.

One of the most powerful low pressure systems in 25 years caused hurricane force winds with gusts up to 90 mph. Widespread damage occurred to vehicles, signs, buildings and trees, while thousands were left without power for hours. A barn collapsed near Waukon, trapping a man inside, but only minor injuries were sustained.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Floyd

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Floyd forecast zone
Measured
51 kt (59 mph)
Property damage
$150,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
43.060, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Winneshiek

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Winneshiek forecast zone
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage
$220,000
Reported by
GENERAL PUBLIC
Coordinates
43.291, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Fayette

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Fayette forecast zone
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$180,000
Reported by
AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Coordinates
42.863, -91.844 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Clayton

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Clayton forecast zone
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Property damage
$225,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
42.845, -91.341 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Allamakee

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Allamakee forecast zone
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$175,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
43.284, -91.378 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Mitchell

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Mitchell forecast zone
Measured
58 kt (67 mph)
Property damage
$200,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
43.356, -92.789 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Howard

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Howard forecast zone
Measured
78 kt (90 mph)
Property damage
$185,000
Reported by
UTILITY COMPANY
Coordinates
43.357, -92.317 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, Chickasaw

When
November 10, 8:00 AM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where
Chickasaw forecast zone
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage
$150,000
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
43.060, -92.318 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Iowa in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Iowa, November 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5639817, 5639818, 5639819, 5639820, 5639821, 5639822, 5639823, 5639824.