Thunderstorm Wind — Ringgold, Iowa

2014-02-20 · near Benton, Ringgold, Iowa

Event narrative

An adult male died when a 30 foot conveyor belt was blown over by a wind gust. The incident occurred at 2401 Co. Hwy P-27 at the Helena Chemical Company.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure developed over southwest Kansas during the night of the 19th into the day of the 20th. The low turned northeast through Missouri into east central Iowa by the afternoon of the 20th. A strong surge of moisture pushed north ahead of the low with dewpoint temperatures in the 40s to low 50s. Strong dynamics were in place with around 500 J/kg of CAPE available. A small area of thunderstorms pushed rapidly northeast through the state producing gusty winds and hail as they passed. Hail covered the ground in many locations. Though marginal in size, one inch diameter hail was reported in Union County at Arispe. The line of storms also produced hail up to quarter size as they moved through Warren and Wayne Counties. As the line of severe thunderstorms moved through Ringgold County, very strong winds occurred. The winds resulted in an accident to an individual working outdoors near farming equipment. While attempting to move his pickup truck to get it out of hail that was falling, a 30' conveyor belt was blown over by a wind gust, falling on him and causing his death.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.6970, -94.3860)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 489474. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.