Iowa Tornado Warning | Effective 04/17/2026 15:30

Headline: 
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 5:30PM CDT until April 17 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Event: 
Tornado Warning
Urgency: 
Immediate
Effective: 
April 17, 2026 - 3:30pm
Expires: 
April 17, 2026 - 4:00pm
Description: 
At 530 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Nichols, or 9 miles south of West Branch, moving northeast at 50 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This dangerous storm will be near... West Branch, West Liberty, Atalissa, Rochester, Moscow, Springdale, Muscatine County Fairgrounds, and Saulsbury Bridge Campground around 535 PM CDT. This includes Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 254 and 266.
Instruction: 
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Motorists should not take shelter under highway overpasses. If you cannot safely drive away from the tornado, as a last resort, either park your vehicle and stay put, or abandon your vehicle and lie down in a low lying area and protect yourself from flying debris. This storm has a history of producing tornadoes. Seek shelter now!
Area Description: 
Cedar, IA; Johnson, IA; Muscatine, IA
Forcast Office: 
NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov