People in Storm Lake, Iowa, have had a challenging Friday, in the aftermath of a storm wallop that caused extensive damage and put all properties without power.
The storm went through overnight, and at about 1 p.m. all MidAmerican Energy power went out for nearly 6,500 homes and businesses. MidAmerican crews were working with downed power lines and broken poles and trees, and estimated that it might be 8 pm until power was entirely restored.
The first batch of about 100 homes got power about 11 a.m., but still 6,350 properties were without. Storm Lake city officials urged people to remain at home, so the cleanup could be quickened.
As of midafternoon, 2,700 properties still were without power.
People who have severely damaged homes can go to Storm Lake High School for shelter. People who need to recharge their medical devices can go to Buena Vista Medical Center.
Andrew Samet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, said they’re trying to determine whether the Storm Lake damage was the result of a tornado or straight line wind.
Additionally, in an active weather day, a tornado was spotted on Thursday evening near Oakland, Iowa, and also nearby north of Omaha.
In related news, the Iowa House on Thursday sent a measure to the Iowa governor that aims to better assist people impacted by natural disasters.
The proposal would fund $12 million for helping residents repair disaster-affect homes.
Republican Representative Megan Jones, who represents much of Clay County, tearfully recalled on the House Floor when her home community of Spencer was hit with devastating floods last year.
The bill also streamlines the process for transferring emergency funds for disaster relief to the Department of Management by eliminating the need for lawmaker approval.
*Additionally, the first of four town hall discussions across the state were held by South Dakota Democrats in Rapid City and Sioux Falls this week.
The Democrats will meet next on April 24 in Vermillion, South Dakota, as they seek to air details about federal agency cuts by President Donald Trump.
Nikki Gronli is helping lead the initiative, and said they want everybody who wants their voices heard should attend the discussions, regardless of political affiliation. The April 24 event will be held at the University of South Dakota.
*In other news, a new initiative aims to better understand environmental factors and Iowa’s high cancer rates.
The Iowa Environmental Council and the Harkin Institute at Drake University say they are launching an examination of environmental and agricultural factors and cancer rates in Iowa.
Iowa has the second highest rate of new cancers in the country, according to the Iowa Cancer Registry. Experts say it’s unclear why.
Sarah Green is the executive director of the Iowa Environmental Council. She says there are a lot of environmental factors that stand out in the state.
“Iowa has the most factory farm waste of any other state in the country. Iowa has more concentrated animal feeding operations than any other state in the country,” Green said.
The initiative will consist of a literature review, a listening tour, the creation of an expert coalition and a public outreach campaign.
*The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday that would require schools to show a fetal development video starting in fifth grade. The bill states that the video must depict “the humanity of the unborn child.”
It would also bar the use of videos and other educational materials provided by groups that perform, promote, or refer patients for abortions.
Democratic Representative Austin Baeth said the bill would ban schools from using research-based information from places like the Mayo Clinic, “opens the door to indoctrination.”
Republican Representative Helena Hayes says the bill still requires research-based instruction and will teach children the value of life. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration.
*Additionally, officials since 2023 have been discussing whether to reduce the number of lanes on US Highway 71 as it runs through Milford, Iowa.
The Milford City Council has worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation, which proposed reducing the highway from four to three lanes, in order to slow traffic bound in part for the popular Iowa Great Lakes area
The city council on Monday voted 3-2 to keep the current four-lane setup, which has speed limits of 25 and 35 mph for much of the highway.
According to EXplore Okoboji News, Milford officials will now work with IDOT on such safety enhancements as new traffic lights by the year 2030.
