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On this day in Iowa weather history...

1911: Severe thunderstorms affected several areas around Iowa. At Charles City a downpour dumped 1.24 inches of rain in a very short time with 0.55 inches of that falling in just five minutes. At Boone an observer wrote that 'hailstones as large as hen's eggs broke thousands of window lights, damaged roofs and killed birds.' Further east a severe storm produced destructive straight line winds in western portions of Cedar Rapids, destroying several buildings and significantly damaging many others. An observer reported that 'the gale swept with resistless force, trees were snapped and twisted off as easily as if they were made of glass. Wires were tangled and broken, putting the telephone and light service completely out of commission. Barns were unroofed, and doors and trees were scattered all along the boulevard.' Several people were injured in Cedar Rapids, one seriously, but there were no fatalities reported.