UPDATE: We’re back on the air. Thanks for your patience!
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Sheldon, Iowa — KIWA Radio — both our 105.3 FM Classic Hits station and our 100.7 FM/1550 AM Talk Radio station remain off the air this morning, due to storm damage. Our streaming is also unavailable, due to a continued internet outage, also likely caused by the storm. Crews are working on the issue(s), but we are unable to say at this time when we might be back on the air.
Meanwhile, storm cleanup continues. Major damage was widespread, but not every area was hit. There is considerable damage in Sheldon, Orange City, and Sioux Center for sure. If you have the ability, feel free to email or text us your damage reports. Email newstips@kiwaradio.com or text 712-324-2597, or just post them on our Facebook page.
Damage to trees and power lines was reported across northwest Iowa after a long line of strong thunderstorms with recorded wind gusts over 90 mph caused many power outages across northwest Iowa Monday night. MidAmerican Energy reported at least 10,000 people were without power by 10:30 p.m. Monday, with damage being seen across Northwest Iowa and Southeast South Dakota.
At about 9 p.m., the severe storms started getting reported in the Clay, Union and Lincoln County areas, and they eventually moved on to Northwest Iowa. By 10 p.m., winds started approaching 100 mph, Then by 10:15 p.m., the storms intensified to the point that Sioux County, sent out an advisory telling people to avoid traveling due to downed trees and power lines. As the storms continued east, O’Brien County also advised against travel with multiple trees down on town streets and local highways. Some of the areas that saw damage included Sheldon, Royal, Hospers, Ireton, and Sioux Center.
MidAmerican Energy customers without power has gone down significantly overnight, but thousands are still without power. As of 6am, the company’s outage watch map reported just over 3,000 customers without power in the Storm Lake region. Some of the areas still facing significant outages as of that time included Ireton, Inwood and rural O’Brien County.
Storm Cleanup is in progress in Sioux County, Crews are clearing streets with pay loaders and other equipment. Travel with caution while clean up is in progress.
The above includes help from fellow Community First Broadcasting station KSOU in Sioux Center
Here is an update from the City of Sheldon. If you have any questions, call City Hall at 324-4651.
Update – 10:25 AM, 7/29:
- 7th Street blocked at 9th Avenue.
- 8th Avenue blocked at 10th St.
- North 5th is blocked north of Pine.
- No Internet in some places, including at the community services center / city hall.
- Garbage service has been delayed by De Kruif disposal until tomorrow. See their FB page.
- Special council meeting being planned for Wednesday, 7/30 at 4:30 pm. Agenda is posted HERE, but is a work in progress.
- You may put your non-commercially cut limbs on the curb. Please ask your contractors to haul away their own cuttings.
- Tree dump on Monroe is a muddy mess, although it is currently not closed.
- Alternative dump site for trees / limbs is near Wastewater plant (NOT THE WATER PLANT) but Wastewater plant. You’ll need to access from Western Ave at Hwy 18. Follow the signs.
- Multiple power lines down and transformers being replaced by MidAmerican. IE: A transformer on Pleasant Ct (East of Washington Ave) exploded this morning, 7/29 at about 9:35 AM. MidAmerican on scene.
- We are not aware of sewage backups at this time, but there is a risk if rains continue.
- Additional information can be found at July 28 Storm | City of Sheldon, including info on curbside pickup and garbage schedule changes.
Here are some photos of damage in Sheldon, taken by KIWA staff members:
