Monthly Archives: July 2014

Jul 10

Tama, Benton counties declared disaster areas

Full notification due after my earlier post. Tama County received both the disaster emergency and Iowa Individual Assistance Program qualification. Benton County only received the former.

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Jul 10

CIML split all about Des Moines vs. suburbs

The news of a potential split in the 19-team Central Iowa Metro League* bears some similarities to what went on in college sports the past half-decade. This time, though, it’s the have-nots taking the initiative and separating from the haves. … Continue reading

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Jul 09

Tama County did not get a disaster proclamation

This is very interesting. Despite an EF2 tornado chewing up part of Traer with tree damage throughout town, and severe flooding on the Iowa River bad enough to close US 63 and swamp Chelsea (again), the list on the Iowa … Continue reading

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Jul 09

US 61 transfer of jurisdiction offer made years in advance

The past decade has included a notable shift in Iowa Department of Transportation policy: It never, ever, EVER wants to be stuck with a bypassed road again. EVER. After it took an act of the Legislature in 2003 to unload … Continue reading

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Jul 08

Second Traer tornado rated EF1

The National Weather Service makes quick work of storm damage surveys. It has a combined report for the July 6 Reinbeck and Traer tornadoes*, both rated EF1. I was going to make a composite map with the June 30 track, … Continue reading

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Jul 07

Please keep the ‘Wizard of Oz’ references to a minimum

July 6, 2014: A small tornado in Tama County was visible from the Morrison farm. The debris in the foreground is from a different tornado that hit Monday. Photo by Judy Morrison. The Traer area just had tornadoes roll through again. … Continue reading

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Jul 06

Well, at least the drought’s over

Field near Wolf Creek near Traer on Wednesday. The water went down substantially Thursday and Friday. Related news story.

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Jul 05

KCRG story on Traer damage, Berger farm

Video embedded and linked. My high school biology teacher, Lee Wiges, managed to get interviewed by both Channel 7 and Channel 9. IMPORTANT NOTE: The damage to the south end of Traer Manufacturing, the large building with the red girders … Continue reading

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Jul 03

Official NWS track of June 30 tornadoes

The official definition of the tornado track is much, MUCH narrower than the damage that is out there, I assure you. Apparently, it was “only” wind that sent three of the Bergers’ bins a quarter-mile away in three separate directions, … Continue reading

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Jul 02

Traer tornado rated EF2; Berger farm destroyed

The official survey is in, and the National Weather Service says the tornado developed about 2 PM Monday, 3.2 miles northwest of Traer… …which means it emerged literally on top of Denny and Jill Berger’s farm. KWWL has the sad … Continue reading

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