A confirmed tornado and high winds caused widespread “significant” damage across Greene County Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Greene County around 5:15pm. Jefferson Assistant Fire Chief Sean Schiltz tells Raccoon Valley Radio there was a confirmed tornado that started south of Jefferson and moved northeast across Greene County. He says there was a 20 car train derailment one mile east of Jefferson and no injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were spilled that are known at this time.

Schiltz reports there was other major property damage including a roof blown off of a hog confinement structure on G Avenue and 310th Street. Additionally, Schiltz points out there were two farm properties near Highway 4, south of Jefferson, that had all buildings destroyed and a semi-tractor trailer was rolled onto the property, and the other residence also suffered significant damage to its outbuildings. Schiltz adds another major report of property damage was when a tree fell onto a house on old Highway 30 between Jefferson and Scranton. Schiltz notes there are several power lines down across the county and power lines that are over roadways. However, Schiltz reports there have been no injuries.

Greene County Engineer Wade Weiss says all Secondary Roads crews were out clearing county roads of debris and will return Thursday morning to clear the ditches of the debris. Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse tells Raccoon Valley Radio there have been no reports of property damage and no downed power lines following the storm. Additionally, Alliant Energy is reporting 2,988 Greene County customers and 292 Midland Power Cooperative Greene County customers are without power. 

The tornado warning expired at 6pm. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.