EF1 tornado in Floyd County, Iowa

The third tornado of the night in Floyd County formed just to the southwest of Rudd, moved northeast directly through the town and dissipated along Business U.S. Highway 18 on the north edge of town. Extensive damage occurred in the town with numerous homes sustaining damage with some roofs completely blown off. The roof of the library was removed with damage sustained to almost all the books in the building. A church on the north side of town also sustained heavy damage as did the towns water treatment plant. Water and power were not expected to be restored for several days. Classes for the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock school district were canceled for December 16th but the building in Rockford was open to the public for showers, warmth and served breakfast and lunch to those in need.

An intense storm system moved across the Upper Midwest on December 15th and produced a rare severe weather outbreak across northeast Iowa. Eight tornadoes occurred across parts of Floyd, Chickasaw and Howard Counties. Four of these tornadoes were rated EF1 with one moving through Rudd (Floyd County) where the roof was removed from the library and several homes and a church were heavily damaged. The other tornadoes largely moved through rural areas damaging trees, power lines and farm buildings. In addition to the tornadoes, damaging winds occurred that blew over a semi in Floyd (Floyd County) and damaged numerous homes across the region. The Governor of Iowa declared a state of disaster emergency for Allamakee, Chickasaw, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek Counties. A federal disaster was declared for Floyd, Howard and Mitchell Counties.