Where is Minden, Iowa? What we know on the Iowa tornado that caused significant destruction
Minden, a small town in Pottawattamie County, suffered significant damage Friday night as severe storms and several tornadoes touched down across the state.
The town of about 600 reported damage to homes, cars and trees.
Four injuries had been reported by Saturday afternoon, according to a news release from Pottawattamie County emergency management. One person remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for the county in response, which activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.
The Disaster Case Advocacy program provides up to $5,000 in grants for households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
More: Tiny Minden, Iowa, riddled with debris after tornado smashes through town Friday
Where is Minden, Iowa?
Minden is located on the western side of Iowa. It’s about a 30-mile drive from Omaha, Nebraska, depending on the route taken, according to Google Maps. The town was settled in 1875 by German immigrants, according to Travel Iowa.
More: 'Large and extremely dangerous' tornadoes sweep across Iowa. Minden hit hard.
What damage occurred in the Minden, Iowa tornado?
About 120 homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County have experienced varying degrees of damage, according to a news release from emergency management.
Further damage to residential and business properties should be reported to the Emergency Management’s website at pcema-ia.org.
How can I help Minden, Iowa?
Officials aren’t seeking outside volunteer assistance at this time, but they will announce opportunities in the coming days, according to the news release. The Neola Area Community Center is accepting donations, according to its Facebook page.
Neola Fire and Rescue’s Facebook page also has information about specific donations the community center is seeking.
Neola is a town west of Minden.
Minden's Facebook page and the Tri-Center Community School's Facebook page have more information, according to the news release.
How many tornadoes occurred in Iowa yesterday, April 26?
The National Weather Service in Des Moines posted on social media Saturday that, according to preliminary reports, at least 10 tornadoes touched down in central Iowa on April 26. Determining a final tornado count will take days to a few weeks, according to NWS Des Moines.
NWS Omaha issued 42 tornado warnings on Friday, the weather service reported. Teams from NWS Des Moines will evaluate the damage to rate the severity of the tornadoes and will report on the survey results later Saturday, according to a social media post.
Where in Iowa did tornadoes hit?
The NWS confirmed several tornadoes throughout Iowa on Friday, including a large tornado over Pleasant Hill, a tornado over Creston Municipal Airport and Mt Ayr Municipal Airport, a tornado near Afton and a tornado near Irwin. A tornado was also reported to have touched the ground in Tingley and Redding in Ringgold County.
Has Iowa had an EF5 tornado?
Yes.
Six EF5 tornadoes have occurred in Iowa in since 1950, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This is the highest rating that can be assigned to a tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The last EF5 in Iowa was in 2008 in Parkersburg, according to NOAA.
Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: What we know about the Minden, Iowa tornado
