[COUNCIL BLUFFS] – Severe Thunderstorms impacted Pottawattamie County early today (Wednesday). The system prompted destructive severe thunderstorm, tornado, and flash flood warnings. Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed said that as of 1:50 a.m., a some damages have been reported in various areas of the county ranging from shingles blown from roofs, tree limbs and small- to medium-size trees blown down, and some light structural damages. Localized areas have seen up to 2 inches of rain as of the same time and a continuing line of thunderstorms continue to approach the county. The storm also produced 75mph winds (measured) in the Council Bluffs area.

Reed says the concentration of preliminary damage reports was in the Carson area, and there were 1,277 properties without electricity in Council Bluffs, Carson, Macedonia, and rural Pottawattamie County. Emergency Management is requesting residents and proprietors report their residential and business damages at https://pcema-ia.org.

As the storms finally pass sometime in the early morning hours and daylight breaks, many will be able to get their first look at their properties. Your reports and pictures will be essential in assessing the overall impact to the county. As always, be aware of your surroundings – don’t go near downed power lines and don’t drive through flooded streets.

As public reports are received on the emergency management website damage reporting portal and crews conduct some preliminary surveys after daybreak, any updates or further information will be provided on the emergency management agency website.