An initial assessment from Warren County Emergency Management has been released, following the multiple severe thunderstorm warnings and systems that passed through Warren County into Marion County.

Warren County Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Bass tells KNIA News reports from across the area confirmed softball sized hail that fell in the New Virginia area in the southwest portion of Warren County. Bass also said he followed the path of the tornado that touched down near the intersection of Tyler St. and 190th Ave northwest of Lacona.

The tornado traveled east towards Marion County, touching the ground multiple times causing a large amount of property damage to multiple houses, barns, and agriculture outbuildings. The tornado entered Marion County southwest of Pleasantville, destroying a home and causing further damage to multiple properties.

“It would stay on the ground probably for a mile then come back up, then stay on the ground for two blocks and come back up. The width of the tornado on the ground was not very wide, probably 200 feet if that. I saw an area where it came down, and it really hadn’t touched down yet, it went through an area where a trailer house and a garage, and then another house, and it went between the buildings less than 200 feet apart at most, and didn’t touch either one of those buildings, and then took the building dead ahead of it. It took the garage off, took a fifth-wheel trailer, mutilated it, and threw it across the street.”

Bass said initial reports indicated multiple tornados touching down, however as the damage was surveyed it was one tornado, and the National Weather Service is still working on determining the size of the event. If anyone in Marion County received property damage, report it to the Marion County Emergency Management Office, and Warren County residents should call Warren County dispatch at 515-961-1122.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Marion and Warren Counties in response to the April 4 severe weather. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather.