(Red Oak & Creston, IA) – Storms that brought winds of up 74 mph in Red Oak, Friday night caused extensive damage, fires and power outages. The line of storms also caused damage in Creston. Mid-American Energy reported as many as 2,800 customers were without power in parts of western and southwest Iowa, at the peak of the storm event. By 5-a.m., the number of power outages was down to a little more than 200 customers. Six rural electric co-op customers across southwest/western Iowa were also without power at that time.
Red Oak Fire Chief John Bruce reports the weather event, which some meteorologists call a “Wind Bag,” hit the county at around 6:36-p.m., Friday. The event eventually triggered an all County fire dept response, which included additional out of County mutual aid. The Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 6:52 p.m. for a reported house fire at 2nd/Grimes. Firefighters were dispatched at 6:54 p.m. for a house fire in the 1200 block of Hammond St – in which the back porch was on fire -caused by downed trees on the residences powerlines.
The Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 7:07 p.m. for a reported tree limbs in powerlines and possibly on fire at 250th/HWY 48. – Fire response was assigned to Essex Fire Department. Then, the Red Oak Fire Department was dispatched at 7:18 p.m. for a residential structure fire at 6th/Elm St. Upon arrival, fire crews encountered a large amount of fire on the second floor. All 3 structure fires were caused by downed tree limbs compromising the residential powerlines.
The Villisca, Grant and Corning Fire Departments were activated for storm related fire responses at 7:40 p.m. in the eastern part of Montgomery county. No injuries reported at any of the incidents! The Red Oak City Utilities crews were activated, as well as, 3 private tree companies to assist with the massive amount of tree debris blocking roads or on powerlines. MidAmerican utilities were still working to restore power early this (Saturday) morning. Clean-up operations were expected to resume throughout the weekend. Chief Bruce urges residents of Montgomery County to “Please use extreme caution with tree debris removal and any downed powerlines that could possibly be live- give utility crews plenty of room to work.”
Officials with the Creston Fire Department said also, severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain and strong winds to Union County Friday evening, with radar indicating gusts up to 70 mph. The conditions caused several power outages and resulted in traffic signals becoming non-functional. Firefighters and Green Valley State Park Ranger Jason Hyde managed traffic at the affected intersections, rerouting vehicles through the SWCC (Southwestern Community College) parking lot. Alliant Energy cut power to the damaged light pole, cleared the roadway, and began restoring the traffic signals. The Creston Police Department then took over traffic control.
