Tornado that struck Bellevue packed winds over 100 mph

BELLEVUE, Iowa (KCRG) - A tornado that started in Jackson County on Friday evening has been surveyed by government officials.

The National Weather Service determined, through analysis of damage along the tornado’s path, that a tornado that damaged parts of Bellevue was an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with estimated peak winds of 104 mph. That scale goes from EF-0 at its weakest, to EF-5 at its strongest.

Officials said that the tornado touched down in Bellevue State Park, south of Bellevue, at around 6:16 p.m. It tracked quickly to the northeast, covering 5.46 miles before lifting in rural Jo Daviess County, Ill. at 6:24 p.m. The tornado’s width was about 100 yards.

At least seven tornadoes have been confirmed across eastern Iowa, so far, from Friday's severe weather outbreak.

Damage was noted at a nearby RV park, with structural damage to cabins and some RVs flipped over and damaged. Uprooted trees were also observed by damage surveyors.

Three people were hurt by this tornado.

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