No Tornado Warning Issued When Twister Hit Iowa Town

The Creston, Iowa, fire chief says tornado sirens didn’t sound before a twister hit the town, damaging a hospital and community college, because no tornado warning had been issued.

Chief Todd Jackson says the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area Saturday night, but that didn’t meet the criteria for the sirens, which includes a tornado warning, 60 mph winds or sizeable hail.

The EF2 tornado tracked into northwest Creston about 7 p.m. Brad Small of the weather service says a tornado warning was issued at 7:11 p.m., after the twister hit Creston.

The 25-bed Greater Regional Medical Center, which was in the final stages of adding a new addition, remained closed Monday. Southwestern Community College canceled classes Monday and Tuesday, with a decision pending about Wednesday.