Event narrative (NOAA)
A tornado caused extensive damage in the Mapleton area with about 100 houses destroyed and many others severely damaged in a 12 to 15 block area on the southwest side of town. This caused the displacement of around 500 to 600 people. Most garages and stand alone structures were destroyed. In addition, large trees were uprooted and windows blown out of vehicles. Twelve to 14 people sustained minor injuries, the most severe a broken leg. The worst property damage was noted to be on the lower end of the EF3 category. The tornado started about 2 miles west southwest of Mapleton, moved into town, then turned north and ended 1 mile north of town. The path length was around 3.5 miles and the maximum width was around 3/4 of a mile.
Other notable tornado events in Iowa
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.