BONDURANT, IA — Severe weather hit central Iowa Thursday afternoon, injuring 17 people and there are reports of significant damage from tornadoes that touched down in the area and took residents by surprise.
The city of Bondurant, a suburb of Des Moines, advised residents to stay in their homes after a tornado touched down in the afternoon. Several roads were closed and a gas leak caused by the tornado was contained and being repaired, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
In the Mallard Pointe area of Bondurant, officials said there would be an additional law enforcement presence and only resident would be allowed within the perimeter once it is deemed safe. A recovery assistance center was set up at the American Legion Hall for residents whose homes were damaged.
In Marshalltown, which is about 40 miles northeast of Bondurant, patients had to be evacuated from a hospital after it was hit by a tornado. According to The Associated Press, Marshalltown appeared to have been hit the hardest and at least 10 people were injured. (See below for photos posted to social media of reported damage in Marshalltown)
The hospital, UnityPoint Health Marshalltown, said in a statement posted to Facebook that it was struck by a tornado around 5 p.m. No patients or staff were injured but the hospital was unable to take incoming patients. The ER at the hospital was open to help triage patients.
Preliminary storm reports from The National Weather Service said there was “catastrophic damage” in Marshalltown. According to WHO-TV, the spire was ripped from Marshalltown’s historic courthouse and brick buildings were crumbled.
Storm surveys for damage are scheduled for Marshall, Polk, Jasper and Marion counties Friday and the results of the surveys are expected by late afternoon, the NWS said.
Weather forecasters said the tornadoes formed suddenly and took them by surprise.
Alex Krull, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines, told the AP forecasting models produced Thursday morning showed only a slight chance of strong thunderstorms later in the day.
“This morning, it didn’t look like tornadic supercells were possible,” Krull said. “If anything, we were expecting we could get some large hail, if strong storms developed.”
Additional funnels were reported as the storm moved east of Des Moines past Altoona, Prairie City and Colfax.
Photos and videos posted to social media also showed a large tornado near Pella, which is about 45 miles southeast of Bondurant. Vermeer Corporation, a manufacturer located in Pella, wrote on Facebook that they suffered major damage to multiple facilities.
“Our efforts, along with emergency services, are focused on ensuring those on our property during the event are safe and cared for,” the company said. “We will offer an update when available.”
At least seven people were injured at the factory, the AP reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Photo: A local resident runs past a tornado-damaged building on Main Street, Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Marshalltown, Iowa. Several buildings were damaged by a tornado in the main business district in town including the historic courthouse. Photo by Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press
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