Gas Leak Forces Garwin Evacuation

By Orlan Love, Reporter

Tools

By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 12, 2011 at 12:17 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 12, 2011 at 3:05 PM CDT

GARWIN, Iowa — The Tama County town of Garwin evacuated most of its 585 residents Monday morning after a gas leak was discovered at an apartment complex, Fire Chief Tim Laffoon said.

Laffoon said his pager went off shortly after 4 a.m., not long before strong winds roared through town knocking down trees and ripping off roofs.

Alliant Energy personnel shut off the gas by 9 a.m., and residents were allowed to return to begin cleaning up debris.

“You could smell gas all over town,” said resident Rick Marks, 27, who spent a couple of hours in Marshalltown diner before residents were allowed to return.

Marks said the evacuation notices were generally delivered by word of mouth. “This town runs on volunteers,” he said.

Marks said he awoke to find wind-driven rain “gushing in through my living room window.”

Laffoon said several large grain bins were destroyed at the Mid-Iowa Coop elevator, whose office was nearly buried under storm debris.

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