MARSHALLTOWN – The message from emergency responders in Marshalltown was clear Thursday night: if you don’t have to be out, don’t.
The number of people injured after a tornado ripped through the north-central Iowa town isn’t known to authorities as of 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Here’s what we do know:
–The amount of debris, glass, bricks, and other items in the road in the downtown square area is causing major headaches for emergency crews trying to clean up the area.
–The city hall and police department buildings have been destroyed.
–Red Cross workers and volunteers are working to get residents displaced by the storms into a temporary shelter at the Meskwaki Casino. Folks who need a ride can meet at the fire department.
–Thousands of residents remain without power as of Thursday night. Alliant Energy crews are working around the clock to get people back on the grid.
–Downed power lines are a major obstacle to energy crews.
–The biggest concern right now is assessing how much damage happened throughout the city.
–Several local agencies and emergency crews have been helping Marshalltown fire and police officers.
