Marine and Coastal Impacts from Imelda; Unsettled Weather in the West

Swells and high surf from both Imelda and Humberto are expected to bring dangerous marine conditions and rip currents to much of the East Coast over the next several days. A series of Pacific frontal systems will bring waves of showers and thunderstorms to portions of northern California and the Pacific Northwest through midweek. Read More >

August 12, 1974

During the afternoon, a storm system produced tornadoes that touched down in both Iowa and Delaware Counties.

Around 4:30pm, the town of Ryan in Delaware County, located north of Cedar Rapids, was hit by a F4 tornado. The tornado was on the ground for about 5 miles and had a width of about 400 yards. Approximately 30 homes were destroyed in the town of Ryan. There was also extensive damage to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Great Plains Lumber Company, and the West Delaware grade school. There were 12 injuries that occurred with the tornado that hit Delaware County. Damage estimates from the storm totaled about 2.5 million dollars.

National Climate Data Center August 12, 1974 event record for Delaware County

Another tornado touched down in Iowa County. The tornado hit around Ladora, IA which is southwest of Marengo. The F4 tornado traveled roughly 2 miles. There were two injuries reported with this storm. About six houses were damaged and total estimates from the storm were around 250,000 dollars.

National Climate Data Center August 12, 1974 event record for Iowa County
Pictures from Cedar Rapids Public Library Digital Newspaper Archive (Cedar Rapids Gazette August 13, 1974)

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Marine and Coastal Impacts from Imelda; Unsettled Weather in the West

Iowa and Delaware Counties F4 Tornadoes