Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports one person died as the result of storms that stuck early this morning. The Sheriff’s Office received a cellular 911 telephone call reporting an injury and a possible fatality as the result of an unconfirmed tornado at a residence located at 1088 Elk Avenue in Adair County. The residence is approximately ½ mile southeast of the Adair City limits.

First Responders, including the Adair Fire Department, Adair Rescue and the Adair County Ambulance were dispatched. Upon their arrival, rescue personnel located 78 year-old Harold Brownlee, who had sustained serious injuries during the event. Harold Brownlee was flown by air ambulance to a Des Moines Hospital. First Responders also located 74 year-old Linda Lee Brownlee, who was deceased. Debris from the farmstead landed on I-80 at mile marker 77 and a semi was reported in the ditch at the same location.

In addition to the Brownlee residence, there were at least two additional residences and outbuildings at other locations which sustained damage. Law enforcement reported to KJAN that numerous power poles were down this morning across rural roads in eastern Cass County. A motorist drove over one of the power lines at around 4-a.m. on Glendale/Fairview Road, between 750th (Highway 148) and 760th Streets.

Building debris on Glendale Road southeast of Anita. (Photo courtesy Mike Kennon, Cass Co. EMA)

According to Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon, debris from a barn was scattered along Glendale Road, but as of 6:50-a.m., the road was passable. Kennon encourages residents who sustained storm damage to contact him at 254-1500.

The National Weather Service is expected to begin their assessment of the damage this morning.