Alliant Energy says high winds did heavy damage to power poles, electric lines and other equipment in the central Iowa town of Newton, where eight thousand customers were without power overnight. Alliant spokeswoman Carmen Wilhelm says the near-hurricane force winds “did a real number on our system.”Damage is also reported to some homes, power lines and trees in eastern Iowa, where wind gusts early this morning blew up to 65 miles-an-hour, from Davenport to Burlington. Wilhelm says crews have been working to repair the downed lines and damaged equipment all night.Wilhelm says at least 600 customers are still in the dark in Newton and it could be tonight before all are restored. No injuries are reported in Iowa as result of the storms. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for western Iowa today, while the rest of the state is under a wind advisory.
