March 29, 2024

Fatality reported in Adair County following severe weather system

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Linda Brownlee, 74, of Adair was found dead shortly after 2 a.m. today after a severe weather system passed through Adair and Guthrie counties.

During a press conference at 11 a.m. today at Adair City Hall, the National Weather Service has confirmed an EF2 tornado, 150 yards wide with 120 to 130 mph winds, traveled 4.8 miles in Adair County causing one fatality and one serious injury.

According to a report from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the department received a 9-1-1 call at 1:56 a.m. today reporting an injury and possible fatality as the result of an unconfirmed tornado at a residence located at 1088 Elk Ave. in Adair County – approximately a half mile southeast of Adair city limits.

First responders, including the Adair Fire Department, Adair Rescue and Adair County Ambulance were dispatched.

Adair County Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Kempf said the Adair Fire Department was on scene assisting a semi-tractor trailer, which was blown into an interstate median and removing debris off Interstate 80, when it was dispatched to the Brownlee residence.

Upon arrival to the Brownlee’s, rescue personnel located 78-year-old Harold Brownlee, who had sustained serious injuries during the event and was transported by air ambulance to a Des Moines hospital. First responders also located Linda, who was deceased.

Kempf said there were at least two additional residences and outbuildings at other locations which sustained damage within a one mile radius of the Brownlee’s residence.

As of 8 a.m. this morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) was on location conducting a site assessment. The NWS will be holding a press conference 11 a.m. today at Adair City Hall.

Kempf said the best way to stay informed is to sign up for Alert Iowa, which notifies subscribers via text, email or phone calls on mobile devices or landlines.

To sign up for Alert Iowa notifications, residents are encouraged to visit their county’s emergency management website.