Southeast Iowa was hit hard by a fast-moving storm system on the evening of June 3, with a total of 1.45 inches of rainfall; leaving behind a trail of debris, downed trees, damaged power lines, and scattered power outages across Des Moines, Lee, Henry, and Louisa counties.
Strong winds and heavy rain moved into the area late Tuesday with reports of a possible rain covered tornado moving along the Mississippi river/Hwy 61 area. The storm prompted severe thunderstorm warnings along with Tornado warnings for several areas.
When the storm passed and the skies settled, Southeast Iowa residents set to Facebook to report the area damages.
In Henry County, high winds were blamed for damaging power lines and knocking out service to homes in and around Hillsboro. Multiple roads were temporarily blocked by fallen trees, with public works crews responding quickly to clear them.
In Des Moines County, residents reported wind gusts strong enough to topple tree limbs and scatter debris across roadways, along with roadways flooded at times. Utility crews worked into the night to restore electricity to several neighborhoods that lost power due to downed lines.
Lee County also felt the storm, with rural areas reporting tree damage and low-lying roads briefly covered with water. Strong winds and heavy rainfall moved over Fort Madison along the river, where it still unconfirmed if a tornado began moving up Highway 61 towards Burlington.
Louisa County experienced similar conditions, with strong wind bursts recorded near Columbus Junction. Residents there reported brief but intense rainfall and loud thunder, though damage was largely limited to tree limbs and power disruptions.
Officials will continue to assess the full extent of the damage, but early indications suggest no major structural damage or injuries. Residents are encouraged to report any fallen wires or blocked roads to their local authorities. Stay tuned to KILJ for updates on the storm damage as the area damage is assessed.
The storm serves as a reminder of the quick onset and intensity severe weather can bring during Iowa’s early summer months.