At least two tornadoes were confirmed on ground on Tuesday afternoon.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Tuesday is shaping up to be an active day in central Iowa as storms began overnight and will largely continue throughout Iowa into the evening.
The Local 5 Weather Team forecasts storms will move into our western counties between 2 and 3 p.m. before continuing to the east. All severe hazards are possible, including a few strong tornadoes, high winds and hail exceeding 2" in diameter. The greatest potential for severe storms lies between 2 and 7 p.m.
You can view the full forecast here. A full list of storm reports from the National Weather Service is availableat this link.
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Watches and Warnings
A Tornado Warning was issued for the following areas:
- Waverly (6:30 p.m.)
- Parkersburg (6:30 p.m.)
- Clarksville (6:30 p.m.)
Tornado Warning including Waverly IA, Parkersburg IA and Clarksville IA until 6:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/QDL6W6VShM
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 21, 2024
Tornado Warning including Iowa Falls IA, Alden IA and Radcliffe IA until 5:30 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/WEl0Rzdraj
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 21, 2024
A Tornado Watch was in effect until 9 p.m. for the following counties:
- Adair County
- Adams County
- Appanoose County
- Audubon County
- Boone County
- Calhoun County
- Carroll County
- Cass County
- Clarke County
- Dallas County
- Davis County
- Franklin County
- Green County
- Guthrie County
- Hamilton County
- Hardin County
- Humboldt County
- Jasper County
- Keokuk County
- Lucas County
- Madison County
- Mahaska County
- Marion County
- Marshall County
- Monroe County
- Pocahontas County
- Polk County
- Poweshiek County
- Ringgold County
- Sac County
- Story County
- Tama County
- Taylor County
- Union County
- Wapello County
- Warren County
- Wayne County
- Webster County
- Wright County
The National Weather Service has categorized this system as a "particularly dangerous situation". The storm has potential to bring several strong tornadoes, scattered hail and winds up to 90 miles per hour.
A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin until 9 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/uZBRvWdgmf
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 21, 2024
Severe weather in Iowa: May 21, 2024
WOI-TV
Flash flooding on Euclid - May 21
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 11:15 p.m. for the following counties:
- Audubon County
- Cass County
- Franklin County
- Guthrie County
- Hardin County
- Jasper County
- Marshall County
- Poweshiek County
- Story County
- Tama County
- Wright County
Here's a look at (approximate) timing for the afternoon storms. #iawx pic.twitter.com/cJpNg79fNk
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 21, 2024
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 21, 2024915A - Line of severe thunderstorms currently moving through the Des Moines metro. Wind speeds of 60-70 mph & hail of up to 1 inch in diameter have been reported. Severe Thunderstorm Warning and multiple Flash Flood Warnings in effect.
Seek shelter until these pass! #IAWX pic.twitter.com/BCW3fbQy7m
Power Outages
More than 21,000 MidAmerican Energy customers are without power as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, including 13,737 in Des Moines. Click hereto view the outage map.
Alliant Energy's outage map shows around 377 customers without power.
MidAmerican customers without power:
- Council Bluffs - 128
- Des Moines - 13,737
- Fort Dodge - 1,916
- Iowa City - 222
- Quad Cities - 24
- Sioux City - 1
- Storm Lake - 1
- Waterloo - 5,325
Traffic Alerts
5 p.m.
More than 20,000 Des Moines households were left without power in the city, with some traffic signals malfunctioning.
— Des Moines Police (@DMPolice) May 21, 2024Approx. 22,000 customers are without power within the city at this time.
Reports of traffic signals not functioning along Merle Hay Rd are being received.
To report an emergency, call 911.
To report a power outage, https://t.co/VC9npCUWu8 pic.twitter.com/pRWsrAHeoT
10:33 a.m.
The Iowa Department of Transportation has closed both directions of Euclid Avenue near Delaware Avenue in Des Moines due to flash flooding.
At least 6” of flash flooding on Euclid Avenue in Des Moines. Iowa DOT has both directions blocked off due to cars getting stuck in the water. More on We Are Iowa Local 5 News tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.
Posted by Connor O'Neal onTuesday, May 21, 2024
9:11 a.m.
Jasper County has issued a Travel Advisory for Tuesday, May 21.
"Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel as authorities continue to assess the situation," the county said in a social media post.
We will share more info as we get it. Feel free to share
Posted by Jasper County EMA onTuesday, May 21, 2024
6:52 a.m.
The Des Moines Police Department says the 200 block of E Euclid Avenue is seeing traffic delays due to "multiple vehicles stalled in the flooded roadway."
— Des Moines Police (@DMPolice) May 21, 20242000 blk E. Euclid:
DMPD is responding to reports of multiple vehicles stalled in the flooded roadway.
Do not attempt to drive through standing water on the roadways! pic.twitter.com/S94DW1ESwJ
- LOCAL 5 FORECAST: Another dry day to aid cleanup, swelling rivers
- WEATHER LAB | Understanding hail formation
