Wind turbines destroyed by Iowa tornadoes burst into flames

A storm chaser captured video of the flaming turbine sitting in a crater in a field.

Published: May 22, 2024 1:26pm

The deadly tornadoes that ripped across Iowa on Tuesday causing extensive damage to homes and businesses also toppled wind turbines - reportedly caused them to catch fire.

Storm chaser Jordan Hall posted drone video of a burning turbine north of the city of Prescott, following a tornado that blew through the area. 

“This was absolutely insane," Hall wrote on the post. "Six-feet deep craters as well.”

According to the Associated Press, the tornado took down several 250-foot turbines that continued to smolder hours after the storm. 

The turbines are built to withstand powerful winds from tornadoes and hurricanes, according to the American Clean Power Association, a renewable industry group.

Two turbines in Oklahoma in 2013 survived a direct hit from a very wide tornado. In high winds, the turbines feather their blades, which means they turn them into the wind and prevent them from spinning too fast.

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