By Sam Parsons

Governor Kim Reynolds has issued disaster proclamations in 12 different Iowa counties after multiple tornadoes touched down on Friday and caused substantial damage.

The 12 Iowa counties – which include Mahaska, Keokuk, Wapello, and Washington counties – will now be able to use state resources to respond to some of the damage that was done.

On Saturday, an assessment team made up of Emergency Managers from several counties in conjunction with meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Des Moines conducted on-site damage assessments for the tornado that touched down a few miles northeast of Ottumwa. The preliminary assessment concluded that while the tornado was in Wapello county, it was blowing winds of around 135 mph, which places it on the high end of the EF-2 rating.

Meanwhile, the NWS has not released official survey data of the tornado in Keokuk county, but other preliminary assessments of the tornado have estimated winds of 166-200 mph. That would classify the tornado as an EF-4.

Damage assessments of the violent weather on Friday are still ongoing, and the No Coast Network will provide any relevant updates.