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EF1 Tornado Confirmed in Wapello, Keokuk, and Johnson Counties with 48 Mile Total Path Length

| by Henry Luker

From NWS Des Moines for Wapello County

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 108 MPH
Path Length: 3.19 Miles
Path Width: 150 Yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start: 4/27/2014 3:20 PM – 3.45 Miles East of Highland Center or about 7.5 miles east of the Ottumwa airport
End: 4/27/2014 3:24 PM – About 4.75 Miles Northeast of Highland Center or about 9.75 Miles Northeast of the Ottumwa Airport. The tornado continued into Keokuk county.

Survey Summary: NWS Storm Survey teams from both Davenport and Des Moines determined that a tornado developed in far northern Wapello county. This long track tornado started east of the Hamlet of Highland Center and traveled very quickly. The circulation was initially very broad and began to tighten as it progressed to the northeast. Initial damage included a destroyed chicken barn and two snapped power poles. About 2 miles northeast of the initial damage, large utility poles were found leaning and this in where the highest estimated wind speeds of 108 MPH were determined. The tornado produced little additional damage before exiting Wapello county and continuing for an additional 44 miles. Details of the track beyond Wapello county can be found in a Public Information Statement released by the Davenport office.

 

From NWS Quad Cities for Keokuk and Johnson counties

Rating: EF1
Estimated Peak Wind: 110 MPH
Path Length (Statute): 44 Miles
Path Width (Maximum): Half a Mile
Fatalities: 2
Injuries: 0

Start: April 27, 2014 3:25 PM (Estimated) south of Hedrick/Keokuk or Wapello County

End: April 27, 2014 4:10 PM (Estimated) 4 Miles West-Southwest of Cosgrove/Johnson County

Survey Summary: A team from the National Weather Service quad Cities forecast office surveyed the Keokuk, Iowa and Johnson county area today. A near continuous damage path was found with damage primarily to trees and outbuildings. Additional storm surveying of the beginning portion of the damage path is ongoing and details will be available later.

EF Scale: The following enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories.

EF0 – Weak – 65 to 85 MPH
EF1 – Weak – 86 to 110 MPH
EF2 – Strong – 111 to 135 MPH
EF4 – Violent – 166 to 200 MPH
EF5 – Violent – More than 200 MPH

Note: This information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS storm data.