Small Iowa town flattened by tornado; Gov. Reynolds proclaims disaster

MINDEN, Iowa (WOWT) - One person remained hospitalized but stable late Friday with injuries sustained in a tornado that hours earlier devastated the town of Minden, which will remain closed to anyone but residents until further notice.

“Due to the hazardous conditions, only residents of Minden will be granted access at this time,” the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency said in a release overnight, which also declared a state of emergency overnight.

The EMA declaration came hours after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds had issued a disaster proclamation for Pottawattamie County after multiple tornadoes tore through the county causing significant damage to nearly everything in their path.

Some homes had been pull off their foundations, torn apart from the ground. Damage was particularly expansive on the east side of Minden. The EMA said in their release that about 120 homes and businesses had sustained varying degrees of damage, and that utilities in the area had been disrupted.

Authorities told 6 News that about 20 people had been taken from their homes to safety once the tornado had passed. About 30 different law enforcement officers responded to the area to help out. Three other injuries were reported in the aftermath of the tornado, but they were all treated and released, the release states.

Jeff Theulen with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office said the biggest concern for authorities, now that all rescues had been completed, was getting the utilities under control so people can go into their homes safely.

Theulen said that approximately 50% of the homes in Minden were severely damaged.Some homeowners told 6 News they had just bought their homes; another said their garage was completely taken off by the storm.

The storm flattened a portion of the small town of Minden, Iowa, located on the northern edge of Pottawattamie County. Other communities affected include western parts of Council Bluffs, and near Crescent, McClelland, and Treynor.

The governor’s disaster proclamation makes available the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $5,000 for households with reported incomes up to double the federal poverty line. The grants can go toward repairs to homes or cars, as well as clothing, food, and temporary housing. In order to be reimbursed for expenses through the program, individuals must provide original receipts.

On top of that, the Disaster Advocacy Program is activated, which is aimed to address the needs of those impacted by a disaster. The state says disaster advocated will work with clients to create a plan of recovery. The program closes 180 days after the Governor’s proclamation, which is Oct. 23. For information on disaster advocacy, click here.

Officials said impacted Minden residents could return to the area at 8 a.m. Saturday, but that a curfew would be in effect for the town between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. until further notice. Resident wishing to get access into the town are asked to check in Minden United Church of Christ, located at 106 Lincoln St.

The American Red Cross had set up two shelters in Pottawattamie County, but officials said they weren’t needed as displaced residents were able to find overnight shelter. Outside volunteer also was not needed at this time, officials said, noting that they would announce opportunities for assistance in the days ahead.

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