Unbelievable.
Photos courtesy of Iowa State Agronomy Dept. In photo 4 you get an idea of the width by the brown swath on the ground- that is approximately 3/4 mile of wide.
Link will show the path of destruction from Parkersburg Ia, to the east, but I am not sure how far it extends.
http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/cases/080525/iowa_helicopter_survey/
Yes- farm took a direct hit last Sunday. I am heading out today for 2 weeks to help out. Dad, mom, brother, sister and bro in law rode it out in the basement; said it was all over in 60 seconds. Luckily, no one hurt. Now it is just clean up and rebuild.
he sent pics of the farm... the house is still standing, but roofless... outbuildings and crop are a total loss... Keep Jon and his family in yer prayers please.