A devastating ice storm has paralyzed Iowa and Nebraska, causing treacherous road conditions, power outages, and at least one fatality. The storm’s impact is being felt across the Midwest region of the United States.
Ice Storm Brings Chaos to Iowa and Nebraska
The Midwest region of the United States was hit by an ice storm that caused treacherous conditions on roads in Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The storm led to temporary closures of Interstate 80 after numerous cars and trucks slid off the road.
Winter Weather Wreaks Havoc Across the Country
Iowa and Nebraska are no strangers to harsh winters, but this latest storm still managed to cause significant disruptions. The ice storm started to set in on Friday evening, prompting the cancellation of several events and appeals from local officials for people to stay home if possible.
At least one person died in a crash caused by the icy roads. The Washington County Sheriff’s office reported that a 57-year-old woman was killed when she lost control of her pickup truck on Highway 30 near Arlington and hit an oncoming truck. The other driver sustained minor injuries.
Road Conditions Become Increasingly Treacherous
The storm brought freezing rain to the region, making roads with inclines particularly hazardous. By late Saturday, temperatures rose high enough for the ice to start to thaw, although some areas still experienced lingering effects of the storm.
“Luckily some warmer air is moving in behind this to make it temporary,” said Dave Cousins, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service‘s office in Davenport, Iowa.
Possible Tornado in San Francisco
On the West Coast, San Francisco issued its first tornado warning in years on Saturday. A storm with wind gusts of around 100 kilometers (or 60 miles) per hour prompted the alert. Trees were felled in parts of the city and some coastal areas experienced minor flooding.
The National Weather Service assessed damage and witness reports to determine if the storm qualifies as a tornado, which would be San Francisco’s first since 2005. In nearby Livermore, heavy rains led to localized flooding.
Tornado Causes Extensive Damage
Later on Saturday, the National Weather Service logged a tornado not far south of San Francisco, in Scotts Valley. The tornado caused extensive damage, including overturning several vehicles in and around the shopping district on Mt. Hermon Drive. The Scotts Valley Police Department asked people to avoid the area due to the severity of the damage.
