Overview...
Several tornadoes developed as low pressure moved across the Northern Plains states on Friday, October 4, 2013. Details on additional tornadoes from this evening can be found at the link below.
EF Scale Rating | EF-4 |
Estimated Peak Wind | 170 mph |
Path Length in statute miles | 25 |
Maximum Path Width | 1.5 miles |
Fatalities | 0 |
Injuries | 0 |
Start Date | October 4, 2013 |
Start Time | 6:35 pm CDT |
Start Location | 2 miles southwest of Climbing Hill, Woodbury County, Iowa |
Lat/Lon | 42.332oN 96.110oW |
End Date | October 4, 2013 |
End Time | 7:17 pm CDT |
End Location | 2 miles west of Washta, Cherokee County, Iowa |
Lat/Lon | 42.582oN 95.762oW |
This violent tornado started 2 miles southwest of Climbing Hill, Iowa, flattening corn crops and snapping tree trunks. As the tornado moved northeast, it intensified and struck a farmstead approximately 5 miles west-northwest of Correctionville, Iowa. Sheds and other buildings were severely damaged or destroyed with the residence being severely damaged. At this point, the tornado continued to increase in both size and magnitude as it continued on its trek northeast. The tornado reached its maximum intesnity 2.5 miles south of Pierson, Iowa, when two farmsteads were struck by this mile wide tornado. Numerous outbuildings and barns were destroyed, with farm equipment being tossed over 400 yards. It was here that the tornado was rated EF-4. The tornado stayed southeast of the town of Pierson, Iowa, and to the west of Washta, Iowa. Before lifting, the tornado produced more tree damage and downed power poles and lines 2 miles west of Washta, Iowa.
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
EF0: Wind speeds 65 to 85 mph
EF1: Wind speeds 86 to 110 mph
EF2: Wind speeds 111 to 135 mph
EF3: Wind speeds 136 to 165 mph
EF4: Wind speeds 166 to 200 mph
EF5: Wind speeds greater than 200 mph
Note: Information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.
Map of Pierson, Iowa tornado track
Click on map to download a kmz file that will display this path in Google Earth. If you download the kmz file and import it into Google Earth, each triangle will link to a description of the damage that was observed and may also include photos of the damage..
Photo of the tornado when it was approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Moville, Iowa. This photo was taken by Jeff Piotrowski and is reproduced here with his permission. An enlarged version of this photo can be seen by clicking on the photo.
Another photo of the tornado taken when it was southeast of Moville, Iowa. This photo was taken by Ethan Schisler and is reproduced here with his permission.
Radar images of the tornadic supercell as it approaches Pierson, IA
This radar picture is from 6:54 pm CDT, October 4, 2013. The hook echo southeast of Moville, IA is the approximately location of the tornado at this time. |
This radar picture is from 7:07 pm CDT, October 4, 2013. The tornado was at its strongest at this time with winds estimated at 170 mph south of Pierson Iowa. |
Click on the images for larger versions.
Photos of tornado damage associated with the Pierson, Iowa tornado
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