Record Heat for the Intermountain West and Northern Plains; Heavy Rainfall and Severe Weather Threats

Record setting heat is expected over the next several days from the Intermountain West through the northern Plains. Furthermore, fire weather concerns increase with dry and breezy conditions. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorm threats for the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys, central Appalachians and Southeast today. The threat shifts to central Gulf Coast and across central Texas this week. Read More >

May 26, 1965

In the early morning hours on May 26, tornadoes struck Linn and Jackson Counties in Iowa. The Linn County tornado traveled on a northeast course from Marengo, IA to Monticello, IA and lasted approximately 15 minutes. The tornado hit Cedar Rapids, IA just before 4 a.m. causing damage to buildings, including the drive-in theater. Streets were blocked by downed power lines. There were several people that suffered minor injuries as the storm passed through Marion, IA.

The new Goodyear store, located in Marion, which had just opened its doors a month earlier, was extensively damaged when the roof was taken off and several windows were broken. Several farms just north of the Cedar Rapids area were also damaged including a barn, chicken house, and machine shed that were destroyed.

Later in the day, it was reported that 14 people were injured and more than 600 trees were down. At least 10,000 telephones were out of service from the storm, with most being back in service a few days after the storm.

National Climate Data Center May 26, 1965 event record for Linn County

Another tornado touched down just to the northeast of Maquoketa, IA. There was approximately 250,000 dollars of damages that occured with one reported injury due to this storm.

National Climate Data Center May 26, 1965 event record for Jackson County
Pictures from Cedar Rapids Public Library Digital Newspaper Archive (Cedar Rapids Gazette May 26, 1965)

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Record Heat for the Intermountain West and Northern Plains; Heavy Rainfall and Severe Weather Threats

Linn/Jackson F2 Tornadoes