Storms damage trees and buildings in eastern Iowa

A photo gallery documents wind damage near Aplington and Austinville from Monday's storms.

By Jordan BeckPublished Jul 21, 2026, 7:50 AM CT · Updated Jul 26, 2026, 3:00 PM CT1 min read

AI-generated editorial scene: A large deciduous tree lies uprooted across a gravel driveway, its exposed root ball caked in damp soil. Nearby, a weathered wooden structure shows missing shingles and a partially collapsed section of metal siding. The scene is illuminated by flat, overcast daylight, revealing scattered debris and broken branches across a flat, grassy landscape. — AI-generated editorial photo · CR Pulse Graphics Desk

Severe storms with strong winds moved through eastern Iowa on Monday afternoon and evening, July 20, 2026, causing damage to trees and at least one building.

A Tornado Watch was in effect for most of Eastern Iowa through 10 p.m. that day.

Photos credited to Mike Sniffin show tree damage near Aplington and Austinville, a building damaged near Aplington, a tree down over railroad tracks, headstones knocked over in a cemetery, multiple trees snapped near Aplington, and an uprooted tree.

"Severe storms rolled through eastern Iowa Monday afternoon and evening, leaving behind damage due to strong winds. Here is a gallery of photos showing some of the damage across areas of Eastern Iowa," Cayson Frerichs wrote for KGAN / Iowa's News Now.

No damage has been confirmed in Cedar Rapids or Linn County from the storms.

ShareX Facebook Email Text

Sources

1.Gallery: Storms cause damage to trees and building in Eastern Iowa — KGAN / Iowa's News Now
2.Tornado Watch issued for Eastern Iowa until 10 PM — KGAN / Iowa's News Now
3.Eastern Iowa residents capture storm damage in stunning photos — KWWL

This story was researched, drafted, and fact-checked with AI assistance, then published automatically after passing TheCRPulse source, safety, visual, and editorial-readiness controls. Read our Editorial Standards & AI Disclosure. Spot an error? Request a correction.

Pleasant July weather in Cedar Rapids to give way to 90s heat

A brief stretch of comfortable temperatures will end this weekend as high humidity and temperatures near 100 degrees arrive in Linn County.

Weather32d ago1 minBy Jordan Beck

Showers Friday, heat and severe-storm risk expected this weekend

Cedar Rapids and Linn County will see a quick shift from cooler weather to Sunday heat and a First Alert Day for possible overnight storms.

AI-generated editorial scene: A hazy, muted sunlight filters through a thick, gray-toned atmosphere over a quiet suburban park in Cedar Rapids. In the foreground, an empty concrete pool deck sits cordoned off by a simple metal gate, while the distant, blurred treeline of a local neighborhood fades into the dense, suspended particulate.

Weather

35d ago1 minBy Jordan Beck

Wildfire smoke pushes Linn County air quality to unhealthy levels

Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas saw AQI readings as high as 153 on July 20 as smoke from Canada and Minnesota fires lingered.

Editorial illustration for Cedar Rapids closes Otis Road SE segment over flood concerns

Weather

41d ago1 minBy Jordan Beck

Cedar Rapids closes Otis Road SE segment over flood concerns

The closure between 76th Avenue SE and the Linn County line took effect July 15.