Damage reported, but tornado misses CL

The roof from a golf cart shed at Veterans Memorial was lifted to the parking lot by a storm which ripped through the area Tuesday night, April 12. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

by Marianne Gasaway

Portions of Clear Lake received significant storm damage Tuesday night, April 12, but the community was spared any tornado touchdowns.

According to the National Weather Service, there were eight confirmed tornadoes associated with the storm.  Two of those were rated as EF-2s on the scale which classifies zero as the weakest and five as the strongest.  Those were east of Bradgate and the other ran from Palmer to Gilmore City. Mitchell and Howard Counties saw three tornadoes, with two rated EF-1s and the other an EF-0. An EF-0 was also reported in Kanawha.  There was an EF-1 southwest of Rutland, and one in Mason City.

In Mason City, tornado damage occurred in southern and eastern parts of the community.  The tornado lasted six minutes, from 10:26 to 10:32 p.m., with wind speeds reaching 100 to 110 mph.

The tornado tracked 4.4 miles, from just north of the intersection of

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US Highways 18 and 65, continuing to the northeast and impacting the far eastern portion of Mason City, including the Eastbrooke addition.

Many buildings, houses, and trees were damaged — but there were no deaths or injuries reported in the storm.

Mike Oimoen, director of golf at Veterans Memorial just off North Shore Drive in Clear Lake, reported a roof was blown off a cart shed at the course.  The 18-unit building housed 36 carts.  On large pine tree was also lost in the storm.

“The insurance adjustor has been here and we will have a plan this week,” said Oimoen.  “I have had so many people call and want to help.  The support we get here is really tremendous and appreciated.  We are just thankful no one was hurt.”

One Vision and the local transit also had damage from the storm last week.  

Jennifer Pinske, Chief Development Officer at One Vision, said transit services were limited Wednesday morning while officials worked on getting the Transit office moved and phone lines back up and running.  “There was no significant damages to other buildings, other than the transportation building,” said Pinske.  “We thank everyone for their patience that day as we were not able to take calls that morning for transportation services.”

“One Vision also had some uprooted trees, which have been or are being cleared.  We thank the volunteers who help maintain the Disc golf course on the property for helping with that,” added Pinske.

Governor Reynolds has issued disaster proclamations for seven counties, including Cerro Gordo.   The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents.

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