A warm front lifting northward across the region on April 14, 2012 brought a round of severe thunderstorms during the late afternoon through much of the evening hours. Large hail and damaging winds were reported across eastern Iowa and western Illinois. A tornado occurred at Hedrick, Iowa in Keokuk county. Following the passage of the warm front there was increasing mid and upper level forcing and instability in place. There was adequate elevated instability as well as sufficient shear to trigger the severe thunderstorms. Three aircraft were damaged at the Quad Cities International Airport near Moline, Illinois. A house was partially unroofed near the airport and a highway sign was also blown over. The automated wind sensor recorded 78 mph winds at the airport. An EF1 tornado occurred in the comma-head of a bow echo along a path from 1 mile west of Hedrick to just west of Martinsburg. Total path length was about 3 miles. Power lines were downed, trees snapped, a machine shed wall was blown in, grain bins were damaged, a shed was destroyed, and the ball park was damaged. Approximately 10 homes were damaged in Hedrick along with rural farmsteads. A deputy police car was turned around and fell into a ditch. Numerous trees were also blown down. No injuries were reported.

Tornado in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:35:00 to 14-APR-12 20:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEDRICK
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: Emergency Manager

An EF1 tornado occurred in the comma-head of a bow echo along a path from 1 mile west of Hedrick to just west of Martinsburg.  Total path length was about 3 miles. Power lines were downed, trees snapped, a machine shed wall was blown in, grain bins were damaged, a shed was destroyed, and the ball park was damaged.  Approximately 10 homes were damaged in Hedrick along with rural farmsteads.  A deputy police car was turned around and fell into a ditch. Numerous trees were also blown down.

Hail in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:56:00 to 14-APR-12 20:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLLIE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement reported half dollar size hail near Ollie.

Hail in HENRY, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 21:20:00 to 14-APR-12 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYLAND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported quarter size hail near Wayland.

Lightning in CEDAR, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:00:00 to 14-APR-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STANWOOD
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Lightning caused a house fire in Stanwood at 669 State Highway 38.

Thunderstorm Wind in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:56:00 to 14-APR-12 20:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: OLLIE
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement estimated 50 to 60 mph winds near Ollie.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINN, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 21:04:00 to 14-APR-12 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELY
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Trees were reported down near Ely by the Linn county emergency manager.

Thunderstorm Wind in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:30:00 to 14-APR-12 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: HEDRICK
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

From 930 pm to 945 pm some power lines were blown down and some wind damage occurred from 4 miles west of Hedrick eastward along Highway 78 to Ollie.

Thunderstorm Wind in BENTON, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:15:00 to 14-APR-12 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELLE PLAINE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tree fell on a house on 11th Street and 2nd avenue in Belle Plaine.

Hail in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 14-APR-12 20:05:00 to 14-APR-12 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHLAND
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported nickel size hail near Richland.