Iowa weather: See where tornadoes were reported Thursday in Iowa
Multiple tornadoes were reported Thursday evening from two supercell thunderstorms that traveled from Nebraska into Iowa.
At least six reports came from southwest Iowa, although the National Weather Service will determine the number of actual tornadoes that formed.
Pottawattamie, Cass Counties
One supercell storm produced multiple tornadoes north of Omaha before crossing into Pottawattamie County, Iowa. A spotter reported a possible tornado southeast of Oakland just after 8:30 p.m.
That storm was still tornado-warned into Cass County, but no further tornadoes were spotted.
This supercell also dropped baseball-sized hail along I-80 northeast of Council Bluffs.
Fremont, Page Counties
To the south, a second powerful storm crossed the Missouri River into Fremont County, Iowa.
Storm chasers and radar confirmed a tornado near the towns of Tabor and Randolph between 8:20 and 8:30 p.m.
A short time later, the National Weather Service issued a rare Tornado Emergency for the Page County town of Essex due to reports and radar evidence of a large, destructive tornado.
Downed power lines, destroyed barns, outbuildings, and grain bins, and some home damage were reported in the area.
Tornado warnings were issued farther east into Adams and Taylor Counties, but no further tornadoes were reported.
Damage in Storm Lake
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls is working to determine if the significant damage overnight in Storm Lake was from a tornado or straight-line winds. The area was under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning between 1-1:30 a.m. when this appears to have happened.
As of Friday morning, most of Buena Vista County has no power.
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