Iowa Severe Thunderstorm Warning | Effective 05/17/2026 19:28

Headline: 
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 17 at 9:28PM CDT until May 17 at 10:30PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Event: 
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Urgency: 
Immediate
Effective: 
May 17, 2026 - 7:28pm
Expires: 
May 17, 2026 - 8:30pm
Description: 
SVRDMX The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Eastern Emmet County in northwestern Iowa... Western Worth County in north central Iowa... Northern Wright County in north central Iowa... Northwestern Franklin County in north central Iowa... Kossuth County in north central Iowa... Northern Humboldt County in north central Iowa... Hancock County in north central Iowa... Western Cerro Gordo County in north central Iowa... Winnebago County in north central Iowa... Northeastern Palo Alto County in northwestern Iowa... * Until 1030 PM CDT. * At 927 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 4 miles southwest of Ceylon to near Irvington to near Callender, moving east at 60 mph. HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. * Locations impacted include... Algona, Forest City, Garner, Belmond, Lake Mills, Britt, Emmons, Swan Lake, Iowa Lake, Elm Lake, Union Slogh, Clear Lake, Eagle Lake, Mason City Municipal Airport, Rice Lake, Okamanpedan Lake, Armstrong, Buffalo Center, Bancroft, and Ventura. This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 167 and 218.
Instruction: 
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. This is a DANGEROUS SITUATION. These storms are producing widespread wind damage. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows! Intense thunderstorm lines can produce brief tornadoes and widespread significant wind damage. Although a tornado is not immediately likely, it is best to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. These storms may cause serious injury and significant property damage. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for north central and northwestern Iowa.
Area Description: 
Cerro Gordo, IA; Emmet, IA; Franklin, IA; Hancock, IA; Humboldt, IA; Kossuth, IA; Palo Alto, IA; Winnebago, IA; Worth, IA; Wright, IA
Forcast Office: 
NWS Des Moines IA
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov