Storm damage from 2024 derecho by Tena Verhoef

It has been one of the busiest springs for severe weather across the state on record, and another form of damaging weather swept across south central Iowa Friday, causing damage in multiple communities. The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center classified the system as a derecho, meaning the wind damage swath extended more than 240 miles and included wind gusts of at least 58 mph or greater along most of its length.

Extensive tree damage and other reports to structures in Pella, Indianola, Pleasantville, Prairie City, Pershing, and other locations were found after powerful storms prompted a dozen severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in Marion and Warren Counties early Friday morning. The KNIA/KRLS Severe Weather Action Team had live coverage from 3:45 to 6:15 a.m.

Hundreds of customers with MidAmerican Energy, Indianola Municipal Utilities, and Pella Cooperative Electric were without power due to the damaging winds. Multiple communities reported wind gusts of 60 MPH or greater as the storm passed through.