ADAIR, Iowa. (KMTV) — One woman died after an overnight tornado in Adair County, Iowa. Her husband went by medical helicopter to Des Moines with critical injuries.
Adair County Emergency Management says the storm hit around 1:45-2 a.m. There was a severe thunderstorm warning but no tornado warning.
The path of the storm appears to be southeast of the city of Adair then spreads north for two to three miles. The house that belonged to the woman and her husband was destroyed, and two other homes have minor damage.
The family of the victims released the following statement:
"We greatly appreciate the thoughts and prayers from our friends and the community at this difficult time. We would like to thank the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, first responders, EMS and MercyOne Des Moines Air Ambulance for their quick response to provide care. At this time we request privacy, as we focus our energy on our father’s recovery and the remembrance of our step-mother."
Update after a press conference from emergency officials:
The victims have been identified as 78-year-old Harold Brownlee and his wife 74-year-old Linda Brownlee.
Officials say the storm was indeed a tornado rated as an EF-2 with wind-speeds between 120-130 miles per hour. It had a path-length of 4.8 miles with a width of 150 yards at its widest point. It is thought to have occurred from 1:29am-1:37am.
The last tornado-related death in Adair County happened on June 27, 1953.
There have been no other reported-injuries.
The National Weather Service released these preliminary survey results
A tornado developed quickly 3.2 miles south southeast of Adair, Iowa early Wednesday morning, May 22nd, 2019 resulting in one fatality and one injury. A rural homestead located just south of Interstate 80 received extensive damage to a single-family residence and outbuildings. The damage survey team also found lesser damage to single family residences and outbuildings located south of the main impacted home.
Rating: EF-2 Estimated Peak Wind: 120-130 MPH Path Length /Statute/: 4.8 miles Path Width /Maximum/: 150 YARDS Fatalities: 1 Injuries: 1 START DATE: May 22nd, 2019 START TIME: 129 AM CDT START LOCATION: 3.2 South Southeast Adair START LAT/LON: 41.45571/-94.62489 END DATE: May 22nd, 2019 END TIME: 137 AM CDT END LOCATION: 2.2 Northeast Adair END_LAT/LON: 41.52401/-94.61519
