National Weather Service confirms tornado hit central Iowa
ADAIR COUNTY, Iowa — The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down in Adair County early Wednesday morning.
Authorities say a woman was killed when her house was destroyed.
The Adair County Sheriff’s Office identified her as 74-year-old Linda Lee Brownlee. Her Husband, 78-year-old Harold Brownlee, was injured and flown to MercyOne Medical Center for treatment. He is listed in critical but stable condition.
Debris from the property was found on Interstate 80. Other homes nearby were also damaged and a semi was in a ditch off I-80.
The NWS estimated winds between 120 to 130 mph. The tornado was on the ground for about five miles for eight minutes.
Bob Kempf, with Adair County Emergency Management, said there was a severe thunderstorm warning issued for the county overnight, but no tornado watch or warning was issued.
This is the first tornado to hit the state of Iowa this year and the first tornado death in the state since April 27th, 2014.
