What hit Beaverdale Wednesday night?

Although much of Beaverdale escaped damage from the storm that moved through Wednesday night, July 31st, one small part of the neighborhood had significant damage.

Homes near the corner of Beaver and Madison suffered significant tree damage, with one home at the intersection having significant damage.

A walk through the area Friday afternoon showed multiple crews working to clean up downed trees.

The most significant damage is to the home on the northeast corner of Beaver and Madison, where a large tree limb fell, crushing part of the roof.

There is also a tree in the backyard that has been completely uprooted.

Just north of that location, crews had cut down and were hauling away a large tree that fell in the backyard. Move one block in either direction, and there's hardly any damage at all.

Roger Vachalik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines, says there is no evidence to indicate there was a small tornado. He says after examining videos and photos, plus looking at radar scans at the time, the NWS believes it was a downburst that hit the intersection. He says there was a similar downburst near the Des Moines airport, which recorded a 65 mile per hour wind gust.

Neighbors within a block of Beaver and Madison suffered enough tree damaage to have large piles of limbs stacked near the curb.

Des Moines Public Works is offering free curbside collection for one day only, on Monday, August 5th. The limbs must be on the curb that morning, as crews will come through only once. Debris must be less than 18 inches in diameter and no more than ten feet long. The branches must be stacked in a way to not block streets, sidewalks or utilities like fire hydrants.