Keokuk, IA – A weak tornado briefly touched down northwest of Keokuk on Sunday evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed Monday.
According to the NWS Quad Cities office, the tornado struck near Summitville in Lee County at approximately 7:51 p.m., lasting only about one minute before dissipating. The agency rated it EF-U, meaning the tornado’s intensity was unclassified due to a lack of damage indicators. The twister traveled roughly 0.1 miles with a maximum width of about 10 yards.
Meteorologists say peak wind speeds remain unknown, but video evidence confirmed the brief touchdown. No injuries, fatalities, or property damage were reported. The Lee County Emergency Management team assisted in the post-storm survey to verify the tornado’s path and characteristics.
The tornado’s short lifespan and remote location likely contributed to the absence of damage reports. Still, forecasters stress that even small or short-lived tornadoes can pose serious risks if they occur in populated areas.
This event adds to a string of late-summer severe weather incidents across the Midwest, though Iowa’s tornado activity so far this season has been below average. The NWS encourages residents to remain alert during storm watches and warnings, as conditions can change rapidly.
While Sunday night’s storm passed without significant impact, emergency officials remind the public to have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts and to review safety plans ahead of potential severe weather days.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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