(KIWA Staff Photo)Hull, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Cleanup and damage assessments are underway in Hull after a powerful storm Tuesday night brought down large trees and power lines, knocking out electricity to a large portion of the community.
Sioux County Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan De Kruyf says storms initially appeared likely to stay north of Sioux County before shifting south. A weather station near Hudson, on the Iowa side of the Big Sioux River, recorded a wind gust of 81 miles per hour, while De Kruyf says a gust of around 50 miles per hour was reported in Hawarden.
Hull was among the hardest-hit areas.
De Kruyf estimated portions of Hull were without power for just under 12 hours. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office advised against travel in Hull Tuesday night due to tree branches and power lines in roadways, and reported closures near Railroad, Fourth, and Chestnut streets because of a downed line.
Trees Fall on Several Homes
De Kruyf says multiple trees or branches fell onto homes in Hull. One of the trees that brought down a major power line also landed on a house, breaking a window and likely causing some roof damage.
Initial assessments showed none of the homes sustained damage severe enough to make them uninhabitable.
More importantly, De Kruyf says no one was hurt.
He estimated one tree that fell onto a power line was roughly two to two-and-a-half feet in diameter and appeared healthy, suggesting a strong gust brought it down.
Damage assessments were expected to continue through Wednesday as officials receive additional reports from residents.
Weather Service Reviewing Possible Tornado
A personal weather station near Hudson recorded a wind gust of 81 miles per hour.
A Tornado Warning was issued shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday after radar indicated rotation between Carmel, Hull, and Boyden. De Kruyf provided drone footage and surveyed the area to assist the National Weather Service.
After speaking with the Weather Service, he says officials are confident the damage was caused by straight-line winds, not a tornado.
