T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS
Then: Minutes after the tornado devastated downtown Marshalltown, residents and city-goers tried to walk, bike or drive their way back to their homes. Those journeys were made difficult by fallen debris and traffic that Thursday evening.
T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS
Now: Crews are hard at work fixing and cleaning up the downtown area. In many spots, bricks, glass shards, nails, tree limbs and other debris has been removed from Main Street, but the roadway will continue to be closed periodically while crews are at work.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKE
Then: The Marshall County Courthouse lost its historic tower in the tornado. Debris cluttered the roads and grass surrounding the building.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKE
Work is being done to repair the Courthouse. Much of the repairs needed are due to water damage. The building is now fenced off to give crews space to work and as a means of protection. Repairs could take a year, officials say.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKE
Moments after the tornado, a giant tree sat in the road after being split in half like a toothpick. Other debris littered the road and cars were turned every direction with many receiving damage.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKE
Just days after the tornado, most of the trees and debris had been cleared from the intersection and it is now functional again. Buildings nearby received roof, window and other structural damage.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BLOBAUM
The JBS Marshalltown distribution facility was another piece of the city’s industry sector to take a blow from the tornado. Operations at the plant briefly stopped before being ramped back up the following week.
T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS
The distribution center is now undergoing repairs and many normal operations have been going on at the location. It was announced Wednesday that JBS USA would donate $1 million to disaster relief in Marshalltown.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BLOBAUM
The Lennox Industries plant on the northeast side of Marshalltown was hit especially hard in the tornado. The damage the plant took that afternoon was significant. Parts of the building caved in, leaving it destroyed.
T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS
A few days after the tornado, Lennox announced they would rebuild. First, they have to clean up the campus. It is among Marshalltown’s top employers.
T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ
Owner/operator Win Kyaw is temporarily operating the business out of his home at 206 Thomas Drive before finding a new place to set up shop. In this photo, taken August 3, one can see much of the debris has been cleared.
T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ
Goldenland Asian Food Market, 31 N. Center St., was completely destroyed in the tornado. This photo, taken July 31, shows the beginning stages of the cleanup efforts.
T-R PHOTO BY EMILY BARSKERACOM building shows immediate damage moments after the tornado. Entire sides of the building were stripped off, exposing it to the outside world.