High Wind Warning Issued for Benton, Linn, and Surrounding Iowa Counties Through Friday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Quad Cities IA IL has issued a High Wind Warning for several counties in eastern Iowa. This warning follows a Wind Advisory, indicating a significant escalation in wind speeds that may pose a threat to property and safety.

Affected Areas

The following Iowa counties are included in the alert area:

• Benton
• Iowa
• Johnson
• Linn
• Buchanan
• Delaware

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to remain in the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm and avoid windows to prevent injury from breaking glass or flying debris. Watch for falling debris and tree limbs if you are outdoors. If you must drive, use extreme caution, as winds this strong make travel difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Secure any loose outdoor objects that could be blown away.

Expected Conditions

Two distinct phases of wind activity are expected:

• During the Advisory: South winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
• During the Warning: West winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching up to 60 mph.

Damaging winds are expected to blow down trees and power lines, and widespread power outages are anticipated across the affected region.

Timeline

• Wind Advisory: Effective from 5:00 PM Thursday, March 12, until 1:00 AM CDT Friday, March 13.
• High Wind Warning: Effective from 1:00 AM Friday, March 13, until 3:00 PM CDT Friday, March 13.