A tornado touched down in northwestern Grant County Wednesday night, destroying several campers, a barn, and took down several trees, but caused no injuries.
According to the Grant County Emergency Management Department, at 5:35 PM on 5/29/2013, the Grant County 9-1-1 Communications Center deployed all fire departments and EMS services throughout Grant County for approaching storms.
At 5:52 PM, the Grant County 9-1-1 center received notification from Clayton County 9-1-1 of a witnessed tornado on the ground east of Garnivillo, Iowa which appeared to be headed in the direction of Glen Haven. Glen Haven Fire Department was notified, and the Glen Haven Tornado Siren was activated. Bagley Fire Department was also advised of the report and had weather spotters in place ahead of the approaching storm.
At 5:57 PM, the Grant County 9-1-1 Center received notification from Clayton County 9-1-1 of a cellular caller that witnessed a tornado touch down in Jellystone Campground, north of the Village of Bagley. The reported tornado destroyed several campers, and downed trees and power lines. Bagley Fire Department, Bagley First Responders, Bloomington Fire Department, and West Grant EMS were dispatched to the scene. No injuries were reported. Based on this report, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for northwestern Grant County.
Scenic Rivers Power was requested to assist with lines down at the campground. Damages from the tornado appeared to be limited to the campground. Witnesses reported seeing a funnel cloud that developed very briefly into a tornado, and quickly receded again within 20-30 seconds.
A barn is reported to be down at 11691 County Highway P, west of Patch Grove. A neighboring home is reported to have sustained damage including tin off of a building and branches through the windows. No injuries reported. This barn would be roughly in line with the path that the storm cell/funnel cloud that affected Jellystone traveled.
A tree is reported to have fallen on a house at 217 E. Highway Street in the Village of Mount Hope. No Injuries reported.
A second tornado warning was issued for Northeastern Grant County at 6:28 PM by the National Weather Service, due to radar indicated rotation that suggested a tornado was developing. No damages were reported from that incident and no tornado was sighted.
Throughout most areas of northern Grant County, there were isolated reports of trees down and power outages. Mount Hope and Dickeyville Fire Departments were dispatched later in the evening for vegetation fires that were believed to be lightening related.
This is a developing story and more information will be placed on SWNews4U.com, as well as a complete story in the June 6 edition of the Grant County Herald Independent.
