Tuesday’s Storm Causes Damage in Anita

(Anita) On Wednesday, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for six Iowa counties affected by Tuesday’s storm event. Cass County is one of the six counties eligible for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program.

Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says Cass County is included because of the damage in and around Anita.

Kennon conducted a preliminary damage assessment requested by the City of Anita on Wednesday morning. The damage was caused by severe weather at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16th.

Kennon says the damage path extends from within Anita State Park, across a subdivision, nursing home, and golf course, to a business on the north side of HWY 83 (about 2/3 of a mile). He identified twelve homes with some minor damage. The nursing home also sustained minor damage. Structural damage included broken windows, siding and trim, shingles, ridge caps, and garage doors. Numerous trees were downed to varying degrees.

A storm front that passed through Cass County on the afternoon of April 16th may also have caused widespread damage. Strong winds affected most, if not all, of the county.