2001: Tornado whips through Blue Grass

June 20, 2001: Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack declared Scott County a disaster area after a tornado swept through Blue Grass and high winds plagued other areas of the county, including Eldridge. Approximately 30 homes were damaged in Blue Grass, where the tornado came together with nearly no warning, to the point that officials were not even able to sound the tornado sirens in time to alert residents. The Blue Grass Fire Department, assisted by Walcott and Buffalo firefighters, patrolled the area in the aftermath, checking for downed power lines and natural gas leaks. Meanwhile, in Eldridge, the winds caused extensive damage, as downed trees damaged houses and vehicles. “Boy, Mother Nature sure was mad at us,” said Ron McGill, general manager of the utility company. “But, it could have been a lot worse.”