August 6, 1890; Incredible Hail Storm in Iowa

[Allen Childs]

This week marks the anniversary of an incredible hailstorm in Iowa.

 

The storm struck Adair and Union Counties on Aug. 6, 1890.

 

Here are accounts provided by the National Weather Service:

 

Orient: The hail destroyed all green vegetation and small animals such as rabbits, ground squirrels, etc., and all the birds. It fell to a depth of 4 inches, varying in size from a quail's egg to a hen's egg, and drifting in many places to a depth of 6 feet, where it remained, when protected by the trash, for 26 days after the storm, or until Sept. 1.

 

Creston: Hail commenced to fall. . .for 40 minutes. . .on the bottomlands, hail was drifted from 4 to 6 feet deep, and where protected by long grass was found in large quantities 12 days after the date of the storm.