A tornado destroyed 12to 15 blocks in the southwest corner of Mapleton, Iowa anddamaged neighboring areas when it struck about 7:20 p.m. Saturday,April 9. In total, the tornado destroyed about 100 homes beyondrepair, and has displaced an estimated 500 to 600 residents.

The tornado was on the ground for three and a half miles andmeasured three-quarters of a mile wide at one point, according tothe National Weather Service office in Valley, Neb. The twister wasmeasured to be on the lower end of an EF3, which carries windspeeds of 136 to 165 mph.

The tornado was one of several reported in Iowa. The weatherservice said it had confirmed a total of four smaller twisters thattouched down near Early and Nemaha, damaging several homes.

Below and on the following pages are photos taken from the sceneof the destruction, both from the air and on the ground.

Destruction in Mapleton, Iowa, in this aerial photo on Sunday,April 10, 2011. The tornado was one of several reported in Iowa.The weather service said it had confirmed a total of four smallertwisters that touched down near Early and Nemaha, damaging severalhomes. (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, Tim Hynds)

More destruction, this time in Early, Iowa, is shown inthis aerial photo on Sunday, April 10, 2011. The small town was hitby a tornado on Saturday which also caused damage in Mapleton,Iowa. (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, Tim Hynds)

More destruction in Early, Iowa, isshown in this aerial photo on Sunday, April 10, 2011. (APPhoto/Sioux City Journal, Tim Hynds)

Destruction is shown in Mapleton, Iowa,in this aerial photo on Sunday, April 10, 2011, The tornado was oneof several reported in Iowa. (AP Photo/Sioux City Journal, TimHynds)

Rubble from damaged homes litters the street in Mapleton, Iowa,Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a large tornado flattened a grainelevator and destroyed homes and buildings on its weekend rampagethrough this small western Iowa town. (AP Photo/NatiHarnik)

A cleanup crew removes debris in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April10, 2011. Authorities reported no serious injuries.(AP Photo/NatiHarnik)

Casey Conover helps clear debris around a house in Mapleton,Iowa, which was destroyed Sunday, April 10, 2011, after a largetornado flattened a grain elevator and destroyed homes andbuildings on its weekend rampage through this small western Iowatown. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Jason Mauch, center, carries a basket of belongings from hisdestroyed house in Mapleton, Iowa, Sunday, April 10, 2011. (APPhoto/Nati Harnik)

A resident in Mapleton, Iowa, stands near trees where largemetal sheets are lodged, Sunday, April 10, 2011.(AP Photo/NatiHarnik)