By SEAN MURPHY (Associated Press) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A wind farm in southwest Iowa suffered a direct hit from a powerful tornado that crumpled five of the massive, power-producing towers, including one that burst into flames. But experts say fortunately such incidents are rare. Video of the direct hit on the wind farm near Greenfield, Iowa, showed frightening images of the violent twister ripping through the countryside, uprooting trees, damaging buildings and sending dirt and debris high into the air. Several of the turbines at MidAmerican Energy Company’s Orient wind farm recorded wind speeds of more than 100 mph as the tornadoes approached just before the turbines were destroyed, the company said in a statement. “This was an unprecedented impact on our wind fleet, and we have operated wind farms since 2004,” MidAmerican said. While there have been isolated incidents of tornadoes or hurricanes damaging wind turbines, fortunately such occurrences are extremely rare, said Jason Ryan, a spokesperson for the American Clean Power Association. Although requirements vary from state to state about how far turbines must be located from other structures, Ryan said the giant turbines are not placed directly next to homes and other occupied structures. There are currently nearly 73,000 wind turbines in operation across the country, he said.

BING NEWS:
  • Blowin’ in the wind: Why is Edmonton experiencing strong gusts?
    According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the city saw average wind speeds of 18 km/h and average wind gusts of 39 km/h from April to June. The record average for the same period was set ...
    06/6/2024 - 5:33 am | View Link
  • At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple states in the South
    Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter in a restroom during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S. A man looks at a ...
    05/26/2024 - 2:18 pm | View Link
  • Wind towers crumpled after Iowa wind farm suffers rare direct hit from powerful twister
    A wind farm in southwest Iowa suffered a direct hit from a powerful tornado that crumpled five of the massive, power-producing towers, including one that burst into ...
    05/22/2024 - 1:34 pm | View Link
  • More

 

Welcome to Wopular!

Welcome to Wopular

Wopular is an online newspaper rack, giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.

Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular, MWB, RottenTomatoes

Subscribe to Wopular's RSS Fan Wopular on Facebook Follow Wopular on Twitter Follow Wopular on Google Plus

MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site

More U.s. News