Manchester Community Recovering Following Friday’s Tornadic Storm

The City of Manchester is cleaning up following Friday night’s tornadic storm.

City Manager Tim Vick says the storm had a significant impact on a small area of town. A suspected tornado brought damage to the southwest side of town along Burrington Road and the Manchester industrial park and points northeast. Damage has also been reported at Sherman’s Pumpkin Farm, extending northeast to the South Brewer and East Main Street area. Baum Park and several other surrounding city streets in those areas were also affected.

On Saturday, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Disaster Proclamation for twelve counties, including Delaware. 

The interchange of Highway 20 and 13 was shut down Friday night and Saturday, with a stretch of Highway 20 from Manchester to Delaware closed too – that was due to downed power lines. And Vick says that brought some extra traffic into the heart of Manchester.

Burrington Road on the southwest side of Manchester was closed after the storm, but has now re-opened. 

Vick says they don’t have an estimate yet on how many businesses and homes were impacted by Friday’s suspected tornado. He says the City is currently conducting an assessment.

Manchester residents and businesses can reach out to City Hall to let them know of any damage – you can send any photos to tvick@manchester-ia.org.

The damage trail extended northeast of Manchester into Oneida and rural Greeley, damaging homes and farmsteads.

The storm has not yet been confirmed as a tornado. The National Weather Service is assessing the damage in Delaware County today – Emergency Management says they should have that wrapped up by tonight.

photos courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH