Tornadoes and Flood in Iowa, June 1, 2001

Event Summary for 6/01/01:A vigorous upper level storm system and strong mid level jet moved through the Mid Mississippi Valley during the afternoon and evening. The associated surface cold front moved into East Central Iowa during peak heating. Mid level cooling and strong surface heating created a moderately unstable airmass. Speed and directional shear was also more than sufficient to spawn supercell thunderstorms near Waterloo, which moved east into Buchanan County producing several tornadoes. Eventually, the activity evolved into a squall line which moved across much of the remainder of Eastern Iowa, Northwest and West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. However, decreasing instability, coupled with the loss of daytime heating resulted in a gradual weakening of the storms and only a few severe reports. Here is a summary of the tornadoes which struck Buchanan and Delaware Counties:Buchanan County - 455 pm CDTAn F1 tornado touched down 2.5 miles north to northwest of Winthrop and lifted at 505 pm CDT approximately 2.25 miles north of Winthrop. This tornado was on the ground for about 1 mile and was 150 yards wide. This tornado produced the most severe damage from the entire event as it ripped through the Tempus farm site at 1846 Reed Avenue. The Tempus home suffered minor damage with a few windows blown out and pieces of siding removed. Several large outbuildings were totally destroyed, including a large machine shed, barn and an open faced cattle shed. Seven head of cattle were killed with 15 to 20 head of cattle injured. A large combine and several other pieces of farm equipment were damaged. Buchanan County - 501 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down 1 mile south of Fairbank near Baxter Avenue and 120th Street. This tornado produced no damage. A National Weather Service Cooperative Observer reported seeing this tornado as a white thin cloud touching the ground, but not appearing to connect with the cloud base. Hail also covered the ground about 4.7 miles south of Highway 281 on W13 and Amish Boulevard. Buchanan County - 506 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down one half mile southwest of Independence, just north of Highway 20 and west of Illinois Avenue. This was a brief touchdown with no damage. Buchanan County - 506 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down 1 mile west of Independence and lifted on the east end of town at approximately 516 pm. This tornado was on the ground for 3 miles and was 150 yards wide. This tornado produced mainly tree damage. A farm on the west side of Independence suffered minor damage to a grain elevator. Several homes in Independence also suffered minor damage, mainly to shingles and siding. Eyewitness reports indicated that a much broader rotation was associated with this tornado several hundred feet above the ground with possible multiple vortices. Buchanan County - 511 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down 2 miles southwest of Lamont near Taylor Avenue and 150th Street. This was a brief touchdown with no damage reported. Trained spotters observed this tornado as two smaller vortices, which merged together before lifting a short time later. Delaware County - 512 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down 2 miles northwest of Manchester. This was a brief touchdown with no damage reported. Buchanan County - 529 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down 3.5 miles southeast of Winthrop near County Road W45 and 260th Street. A hog confinement sustained minor damage and one older corn crib suffered damage. Evidence of this tornado was visible in a field approaching the damage site as old corn stock debris was swept into a nearby fence. Buchanan County - 534 pm CDTAn F0 tornado touched down 5.75 miles southeast of Winthrop near York Avenue and 280th Street. This was a brief touchdown with no damage reported.