Wikipedia

Winterset tornado

In the afternoon hours of March 5, 2022, a large, long-track and violent tornado tracked through areas just outside of Winterset, located near Des Moines in the state of Iowa. The tornado damaged and destroyed many residences, with one home being leveled at low-end EF4 intensity. The tornado was the most intense to touch down during the tornado outbreak of March 5–7, 2022, and was the costliest tornado of the year, inflicting $220 million (2022 USD) worth of damages along a 70.57-mile (113.57 km) path.

Winterset tornado
A large tornado sits behind a row of buildings.
The tornado, seen southwest of Winterset at peak intensity.
Meteorological history
FormedMarch 5, 2022, 4:26 p.m. CDT (UTC−06:00)
DissipatedMarch 5, 2022, 6:00 p.m. CST (UTC−06:00)
Duration1 hour, 34 minutes
EF4 tornado
on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Max width900 yards (0.51 mi; 0.82 km)
Path length70.57 miles (113.57 km)
Highest winds170 mph (270 km/h)
Overall effects
Fatalities6
Injuries5
Damage$220 million (2022 USD)
(Costliest tornado in 2022)[1]
Areas affected
Des Moines metro area, Specifically Winterset, Iowa
Part of the Tornado outbreak of March 5–7, 2022 and Tornadoes of 2022

The tornado first touched down near Macksburg at 4:26 p.m., moving northeast while rapidly strengthening. As the tornado crossed Highway 169, it reached EF4 intensity, killing six people in homes on Carver Road, located to the southwest of Winterset. The tornado continued to move through rural areas, eventually causing damage to portions of the Des Moines metropolitan area before dissipating at 6:00 p.m. northeast of Newton.

Meteorological synopsis

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On March 4, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined a slight risk outlook for severe weather, mostly throughout southern Iowa. The SPC stated that "Large hail, damaging winds, a few tornadoes all appear possible.". The next day, March 5, the SPC updated the outlook to include an enhanced risk that was centered in Iowa, including the 30% probability for damaging winds, and a 10% unhatched area of tornado probabilities (indicating a <10% chance of EF2 or stronger tornadoes). [2][3]

A tornado watch issued at 2:05 P.M. CST on March 5

A negatively tilted shortwave trough tracked northeastward across the Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Upper Midwest on March 5. A strong Low Level Jet, moving at around 40–50 kn (46–58 mph; 74–93 km/h), transported moisture into eastern Kansas, northern Missouri, and southern Iowa, causing dew points to reach around 50–55 °F (10–13 °C). Regional soundings reported between 500 and 1000 J/kg of mixed-layer CAPE developing below -20 C 500 mb temperatures by the early afternoon hours. However, the SPC noted uncertainty regarding morning convection. Model hodographs noted that wind profiles near the low pressure system, as well as the warm front, strongly favored super-cells with enhanced low-level curvature of around 200-250 within the first kilometer of the atmosphere. [2] The SPC in their March 5 forecast stated that strong convection would likely initiate near the triple point near the Missouri River and track across norther Missouri and south-central Iowa during the day. [2] At around noon, the SPC issued its first tornado watch, for southern Iowa and northwestern Missouri, discussing the moderate probabilities for tornadoes to occur, although a major tornado outbreak was not expected. [4]

Across the afternoon, multiple super-cells developed, with three developing into powerful tornado producing storms, with the northernmost one producing tornadoes near Corning, Iowa at 21:38 UTC, and Cromwell, Iowa at 22:01 UTC. [5][6]

Tornado summary

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A photo of a heavily-damaged home with missing walls and roof.
Foundation of a house that was swept away to the southwest of Winterset

Initial formation and track through Winterset

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At 4:26 p.m. CST, the tornado touched down near the intersection of Deer Run Avenue and 280th Street to the north of Macksburg. The multi-vortex tornado began to rapidly intensify as it tracked northeast, mainly through open farmland, patches of forestry, and Pammel State park. As the tornado approached Carver Road near the southwestern outskirts of Winterset, the tornado rapidly intensified, uprooting and snapping multiple trees. As the tornado tracked along Carver Road, cars were flipped and thrown, outbuildings were obliterated, debris was strewn over long distances, many large trees were snapped and denuded, homes suffered the loss of roofs and exterior walls, and a few homes were swept off their foundations by the violent tornado. One home in the area was completely leveled at low-end EF4 intensity, with winds estimated to be at least 170 miles per hour (270 km/h).[7][8] Six people who lived on Carver Road, including four members of the Bolger family, who were killed when the tornado struck the home they were sheltering in. Several other people were injured in this area. [9][10][11][12][13][14] The tornado began to weaken as it tracked southeast of Winterset, weakening to high-end EF1 intensity as homes along Iowa Highway 92 near Patterson before moving into sparsely populated areas.[7]

More than 50 homes in the Winterset area were damaged, with 35-40 sustaining major damage.[15][16]

Des Moines metropolitan area

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As the tornado approached the Des Moines metropolitan area, the tornado intensified to EF2 strength as it snapped hardwood trees along Highway 35, with windspeeds of at least 112 miles per hour (180 km/h) in this area. [7]

Two security camera angles showing the Norwalk Public Works building as it was struck by the tornado

The tornado, maintaining EF2 intensity, began to track through Norwalk, first striking the Windsor Windows and Doors vinyl production facility, causing significant damage as large sections of the roof structure was destroyed.[17] Multiple power poles were snapped and farm outbuildings near the facility were destroyed at low-end EF2 intensity. [7] The tornado then struck homes and structures along Coolidge Street, destroying at least one structure at high-end EF1 strength. The tornado then struck the Norwalk Public Works Department building, causing its garage doors to be blown in before snapping trees at low-end EF2 strength. [18][7]

The tornado kept tracking through the southern fringes of the Des Moines metro with damage ranging from EF1 to EF2 intensity. One business near Avon, the MidAmerican Energy Company, suffered damage to its roof and garage doors as nearby trees were uprooted. The tornado then struck homes in the Pleasant Hill area at mid-range EF2 intensity, causing external walls on homes to collapse, outbuildings to be damaged, trees to be uprooted, and power poles to be snapped. [7]

As the tornado returned to rural areas south of Mitchellville, it became increasingly rain-wrapped as it kept downing numerous power poles. [7]

Jasper County

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The tornado maintained low-end EF2 intensity as it tracked through Jasper County, damaging or destroying multiple barns and outbuildings, as well as snapping wooden power poles as the tornado passed to the south and southeast of Colfax. One two-story farmhouse in the area had its entire roof structure torn off. [7]

As the tornado crossed the South Skunk River, it weakened to EF1 intensity, snapping trees as it moved through Lambs Grove, and into Newton. The tornado downed trees, damaged a baseball field, and caused various degrees of damage to structures in Newton, ranging from destroyed outbuildings, to houses sustaining significant roof damage. As the tornado left Newton, it struck the TPI Composites manufacturing plant, causing a large portion of the roof structure to be torn off. Shortly after, the tornado dissipated after tracking for 70.6 miles.[12][19]

The parent supercell went on to produce three more tornadoes, two EF2s in rural Iowa, and 1 EF1 which struck Vinton. [20][21][22]

Aftermath

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Damage to a home in Newton

Following the tornadoes on March 5, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds visited Winterset, stating “our hearts go out to all those affected by the deadly storms that tore through our state today”, and described the damage as "Unimaginable". Shortly after Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Madison County due to the damage. [16][23] At least 200-300 volunteers came out to help those affected by the tornado clean up the following day, and shortly after helping to rebuild.The New Bridge Church being used as the center for relief efforts.[16][24][25] On March 7, Iowa OSHA On-Site Consultation staff gathered in Winterset to help coordinate cleanup and recovery efforts, offering their assistance, to contractors who provided equipment to local volunteers. [26]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Hurricanes, floods and tornadoes: The year in weather 2022". KCRA-TV. December 22, 2022. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Storm Prediction Center Mar 5, 2022 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook". Storm Prediction Center. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  3. ↑ "Storm Prediction Center Mar 4, 2022 1730 UTC Day 2 Convective Outlook". origin-west-www-spc.woc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  4. ↑ Tornado Watch #27 (Report). National Weather Service. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1007061
  6. ↑ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1007059
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Damage Assessment Toolkit". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 21, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. ↑ "Storm Events Database - Event Details | National Centers for Environmental Information". NCEI. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
  9. ↑ "Iowa family recalls deadly tornado 1 year later". WQAD. March 6, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  10. ↑ Kristianto, Josh (2022-03-07). "Crews survey damage in Winterset, Iowa, after Saturday's deadly tornadoes". KETV. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  11. ↑ Cappucci, Matthew; Bellware, Kim; Feuerstein, Jacob (March 6, 2022). "Tornado outbreak kills at least seven in Iowa with severe damage near Des Moines area". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Family remembers those who perished in central Iowa tornado". weareiowa.com. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  13. ↑ Ferkenhoff, Courtney Crowder and Eric. "'Stronger than before': 4 family members killed by Winterset tornado remembered as 'full of life'". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  14. ↑ "Sheriff: 4 of 7 killed in Iowa tornadoes from same family". NPR. March 7, 2022. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  15. ↑ Alviz-Gransee, Noelle. "It's been a year since a tornado killed 7 people in Iowa. Take a look back at the storm". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  16. 1 2 3 Gerlock, Grant (2022-03-07). "Cleanup in Winterset continues following EF3 tornado that claimed six lives". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  17. ↑ "Tragedy to Triumph | Windsor Windows". www.windsorwindows.com. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  18. ↑ Rice, Trent; Danielson, Sue; Nichols, Steve; Wilde, Wendy (March 6, 2022). "Seven People Killed in Iowa Tornadoes". 1430 KASI. Archived from the original on 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  19. ↑ Houlgrave, Bryon (March 7, 2022). "4 of the 7 killed in Iowa tornadoes came from the same family, sheriff says". NPR. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  20. ↑ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1007153
  21. ↑ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1007158
  22. ↑ https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=1016849
  23. ↑ CNN (2022-03-06). "Officials: Tornado kills 6, including 2 children, near Des Moines, Iowa". Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News. Retrieved 2026-05-19. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  24. ↑ "Winterset tornado 1 year later: How 2 farmers found strength and resilience in rebuilding". wqad.com. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  25. ↑ Bowman, Beau (2023-03-06). "Winterset Strong: Madison County community remembers the lives lost during a tornado one year ago". KCCI. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
  26. ↑ "Iowa OSHA On-Site Consultation Provides Assistance During Tornado Cleanup | Occupational Safety and Health Administration". www.osha.gov. Retrieved 2026-05-19.
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