THIS IS A KCCI STORM TEAM EIGHT WEATHER ALERT DAY. STORM TEAM EIGHT HAS BEEN TRACKING SEVERAL ROUNDS OF SEVERE STORMS. DECATUR COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SHARED THESE PHOTOS WITH KCCI SHOWING SOME OF THE DAMAGE IN GARDEN GROVE YOU SAW. HERE WE GO AGAIN. THAT PICTURE OF THAT BRICK BUILDING. AS YOU CAN SEE, IT’S LOST AT LEAST ONE OF ITS WALLS THERE. AND THEN YOU SEE ALSO SOME MORE STORM DAMAGE HERE. BEEN A BUMPY DAY FOR SURE. AND LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO. A KCCI VIEWER SAID OF THE STORM AS IT MOVED THROUGH DECATUR AND WAYNE COUNTIES. I MEAN, LOOK AT THAT SKY. WOW. WAYNE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFIRMED A TORNADO IN THE AREA SHORTLY AFTER 4:00 THIS AFTERNOON, AND KCCI VIEWER ALSO SENT US THESE PHOTOS OF STORM DAMAGE IN SHERIDAN. YOU CAN SEE SOME TREES AND LIMBS DOWN THERE, AND WE’VE ALSO SEEN SOME OUTDOOR FURNITURE KIND OF TOSSED AROUND THERE. YOU SEE THAT BLOWN OVER HAIL, HEAVY RAIN, STRONG WIND, TORNADOES. WE HAVE TAKEN REPORTS OF IT ALL SO FAR THIS AFTERNOON, AND KCCI HAS TEAM COVERAGE ON THIS STORM. TEAM EIGHT WEATHER ALERT DAY. YEAH, IT HAS BEEN A BUSY AFTERNOON FOR SURE. ABIGAIL CURTIN AND PHOTOJOURNALIST HENRY HAHN HAVE BEEN MANNING THINGS INSIDE OUR KCCI STORM CHASER. THEY’VE BEEN SHOWING US THE VIEW FROM THE ROADS AND OF COURSE, CHIEF METEOROLOGIST JASON SYDEJKO HAS BEEN TRACKING THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT HERE IN THE STUDIO FOR THE LAST SEVERAL HOURS. I WANT TO GET TO JASON RIGHT NOW. JASON, WHAT’S THE LATEST? YEAH. SO THANKFULLY WE’VE SEEN MOST OF THE STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS START TO MOVE OUT OF THE AREA. WE STILL DO HAVE ONE TORNADO WARNING FOR A STORM THAT’S PUSHING IN PUSHING THROUGH VAN BUREN COUNTY RIGHT NOW TOWARDS KEOSAUQUA. THAT ROTATION HAS REALLY BEEN WEAKENING, THOUGH, AND WE ZOOM A LITTLE BIT FURTHER TO THE WEST. REALLY PROLIFIC RAINFALL FROM CHARITON ALONG HIGHWAY 34 ALL THE WAY EAST TOWARDS OTTUMWA OR SO, AS RAIN JUST CONTINUE TO FALL OVER THE SAME LOCATIONS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AND NOW WE’VE GOT THAT LINE OF STORMS WEST OF THE METRO ADEL ALL THE WAY SOUTHWEST TOWARDS RED OAK. WE’VE SEEN THAT FIRE UP. NOTHING SEVERE THERE, BUT STILL A PRETTY GOOD LIGHTNING SHOW AND LIKELY SOME POCKETS OF SOME VERY HEAVY RAIN IN THERE. BUT EARLIER ON AGAIN HAD REPORTS OF A TORNADO NEAR GARDEN GROVE. WE ALSO HAD REPORTS OF THAT TORNADO NEAR MOULTON. AND YOU CAN SEE SOUTH OF THE BORDER INTO NORTHERN MISSOURI. THEY HAD A LARGE TORNADO REPORTED THAT WORKED ITS WAY THROUGH UNIONVILLE. SO THAT’S THE STORM THAT CONTINUED EASTWARD TOWARDS MOULTON. AND WE SAW THAT TRACK CONTINUE. THAT ROTATION DID NOT WANT TO DIE DOWN. AND THANKFULLY HAS SINCE WEAKENED QUITE A BIT. BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THE EVENING AGAIN, A LOT OF THIS ACTIVITY THAT WE’VE GOT DOWN INTO MISSOURI IS STILL GOING TO BE WORKING ITS WAY INTO SOUTHEASTERN PORTIONS OF THE STATE. SO I KNOW WE’VE SEEN SOME HEAVY RAIN, BUT STILL SOME LIKELIHOOD WE’LL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT TORNADO WATCH IS IN PLACE. FOR MOST OF US, THAT GOES THROUGH 9:00 TONIGHT. AREAS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW WILL HAVE THAT. AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE REMAINDER OF YOUR EVENING, STORMS LARGELY MOVE OUT OF THE AREA ENTIRELY. BUT DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. WE’VE GOT ANOTHER LINE OF STORMS THAT WILL BE WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE EARLY TOMORROW MORNING, BUT WE’VE HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE HEADED OUT AND TAKING A LOOK AT THESE STORMS, HELPING WITH COVERAGE. RIGHT NOW, WE’VE GOT ABIGAIL CURTIN AND FOR PHOTOGRAPHER HENRY HAHN, TRACKING THINGS FROM OUR KCCI STORM CHASER, ABIGAIL, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING RIGHT NOW? JASON. IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A CRAZY DAY OF STORM CHASING TO SEE, TO SAY THE LEAST. I MEAN, WE HAVE SEEN EVERYTHING FROM TORRENTIAL WINDS AND RAIN TO PRETTY CALM CONDITIONS. LET ME SHOW YOU WHAT WE’RE SEEING RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW, WE’RE HEADING BACK INTO BOLTON. WE WERE JUST SOUTH OF THERE NEAR THE IOWA MISSOURI BORDER. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT IS STILL RAINING HERE. IT’S KIND OF HARD TO SEE ON CAMERA, BUT A PRETTY DECENT DOWNPOUR. BUT IF YOU LOOK OVER THERE WE GO. WE JUST DROVE THROUGH A BIG PUDDLE. THERE’S QUITE A BIT OF FLOODING ON THE SIDES OF THE ROADS AND IN PEOPLE’S YARDS. THIS IS SOMETHING WE’VE BEEN SEEING THROUGHOUT A WHOLE BUNCH OF CITIES TODAY. WE SAW IT IN MORAVIA. WE SAW IT IN LUCAS. WE SAW IT IN OSCEOLA. REALLY JUST PLACES HAVE BEEN GETTING INUNDATED WITH RAIN NOW. WE DID NOT SEE ANY ROTATION. WE DID NOT SEE ANY HAIL, BUT WE DID GET A COUPLE TORNADO WARNINGS AS WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH SOUTHEASTERN IOWA TODAY. WE ACTUALLY CHASED THE STORMS OUT OF OUR VIEWING AREA, BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY HEADED BACK TO GARDEN GROVE. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE WERE SOME REPORTS OF DAMAGE THERE, SO WE’RE GOING TO BE SURE TO CHECK THOSE OUT AND KEEP YOU GUYS UPDATED WITH WHAT WE SEE IN BOLTON. KCCI EIGHT NEWS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. ALL RIGHT, YOU GUYS STAY SAFE OUT THERE. AS JASON TOLD US, WE CATCH A SHORT BREAK LATE TONIGHT BEFORE MORE STORMS TOMORROW MORNING. JUST MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE KCCI MOBILE APP AND TURN ON THOSE ALERTS. AN
Tracking severe storms: Tornado watch issued for southern Iowa
Iowa’s hot and humid conditions are fueling a threat for severe weather.Here’s what to expect tonight through Thursday:Storms persist in parts of Iowa this evening Damaging winds very possible around sunrise Thursday morning Second round of storms Thursday afternoon heading into eastern Iowa Scroll down for the latest on Thursday’s severe weather threat.Live updatesStorm damage photosTornado watch for southern IowaA tornado watch was issued Wednesday afternoon for 13 southern Iowa counties through 9 p.m. Counties under the watch include Adams, Appanoose, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Page, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Wapello and Wayne. More severe storms early Thursday morningAfter a lull overnight, a cluster of storms is expected to form over the Missouri River valley before daybreak.These storms will barrel eastward across Iowa between 4-9 a.m. Damaging straight-line winds are the main threat as the sun comes up. Some embedded spin-up tornadoes are possible, too.After the morning storms, showers and non-severe storms will likely fester into midday.More storms could develop along a lingering front by Thursday afternoon and move out of central Iowa and into eastern Iowa.The afternoon severe threat depends much on the morning’s storms. It’s possible central Iowa misses out, and eastern Iowa gets the brunt of any afternoon/evening storms. Heavy rain riskWith the threat for repeated rounds of heavy rain, a Flood Watch has been issued for much of central, southern, and southeastern Iowa through Thursday morning. Thunderstorms may bring torrential rainfall with 1 to 2 inches of rain falling in a very short amount of time. Some areas could see as much as 4 inches of rain. If that falls in areas that saw the heavy rain last week, some localized flash flooding will be possible.More storms possible ThursdayThe front that fires storms today is expected to linger over Iowa into Thursday, which will keep the severe storm threat over the state.Model trends are starting to agree on an active morning with storms pushing into the state as early as around 4am possible and over central Iowa for rush hour.These storms will still hold the severe weather threat for the early hours as well. The hail and wind risk will still be present in these storms along with a possible tornado threat. A second round of storms will be possible in the afternoon. We will need to recover from the morning storms to support another round later in the day. It will be possible, but it is conditional. If the morning rain wraps up quickly and we can clear up and warm temperatures, it will give a better storm chance later. The highest risk will be for the eastern half of the state as the cold front passes. Weekend storm chancesAfter a nice break from the storms and humidity on Friday, we could have storms and the sticky/warm summer weather return Saturday. This is still deep into the forecast, but there are some strong signals for the severe weather risk over central and southern Iowa. This is a developing system, so the forecast on the intensity is uncertain. Weekend storm strength and location will come into focus by Friday. Dallas County cooling centers openDallas County Emergency Management has activated its Extreme Temperature Plan ahead of this week’s hot weather. That plan includes making cooling centers available to anyone who needs a break from the heat. “Few to no services are provided beyond what is normally available in that building,” according to county officials. “The facilities are designated as Cooling centers during their normal operational hours. It is advised to call ahead to check on open/closed status and for hours of operation.”Dallas County cooling locations include: Adel: Adel Public Library, 303 South 10 Street, 515-993-3512Clive: Clive Public Library, 1900 NW 114th Street, 515-453-2221Dallas Center: Roy R Estele Memorial Library, 1308 Walnut Street, 515-992-3185De Soto: De Soto Library, 405 Walnut Street, 515-834-2690De Soto: AHeinz57 Pet Rescue, 4002 Ash Street, 515-834-1157Dexter: Dexter Public Library, 724 Marshall Street, 515-789-4490Granger: Granger Public Library, 2200 Walnut Street, 515-999-2088Grimes: Grimes Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, 515-986-3551Minburn: Minburn Public Library, 618 5th Street, 515-726-3900Perry: Perry Public Library, 1101 Willis Avenue, 515-465-3569Redfield: Redfield Public Library, 1112 Thomas Street, 515-833-2200Urbandale: Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th Street, 515-278-3945Van Meter: Van Meter Public Library, 505 Grant Street, 515-996-2435Waukee: Waukee Public Library, 950 Warrior Lane, 515-978-7944West Des Moines: West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway, 515-222-3400Woodward: Woodward Public Library, 118 South Main Street, 515-438-2636 Weather forces DMPS to close some summer meal sites WednesdayDes Moines school officials have closed several free summer meal sites Wednesday due to weather.The following locations are closed: AH BlankCrivaro ParkMcHenry ParkNahas Aquatic CenterMelbourne ApartmentsUnion ParkTower ParkFind another location.
Iowa’s hot and humid conditions are fueling a threat for severe weather.
Here’s what to expect tonight through Thursday:
- Storms persist in parts of Iowa this evening
- Damaging winds very possible around sunrise Thursday morning
- Second round of storms Thursday afternoon heading into eastern Iowa
Scroll down for the latest on Thursday’s severe weather threat.
Live updates
Storm damage photos
Tornado watch for southern Iowa
A tornado watch was issued Wednesday afternoon for 13 southern Iowa counties through 9 p.m. Counties under the watch include Adams, Appanoose, Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Page, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Wapello and Wayne.
More severe storms early Thursday morning
After a lull overnight, a cluster of storms is expected to form over the Missouri River valley before daybreak.
These storms will barrel eastward across Iowa between 4-9 a.m.
Damaging straight-line winds are the main threat as the sun comes up. Some embedded spin-up tornadoes are possible, too.
After the morning storms, showers and non-severe storms will likely fester into midday.
More storms could develop along a lingering front by Thursday afternoon and move out of central Iowa and into eastern Iowa.
The afternoon severe threat depends much on the morning’s storms. It’s possible central Iowa misses out, and eastern Iowa gets the brunt of any afternoon/evening storms.
Heavy rain risk
With the threat for repeated rounds of heavy rain, a Flood Watch has been issued for much of central, southern, and southeastern Iowa through Thursday morning. Thunderstorms may bring torrential rainfall with 1 to 2 inches of rain falling in a very short amount of time. Some areas could see as much as 4 inches of rain. If that falls in areas that saw the heavy rain last week, some localized flash flooding will be possible.
More storms possible Thursday
The front that fires storms today is expected to linger over Iowa into Thursday, which will keep the severe storm threat over the state.
Model trends are starting to agree on an active morning with storms pushing into the state as early as around 4am possible and over central Iowa for rush hour.
These storms will still hold the severe weather threat for the early hours as well. The hail and wind risk will still be present in these storms along with a possible tornado threat.
A second round of storms will be possible in the afternoon. We will need to recover from the morning storms to support another round later in the day. It will be possible, but it is conditional. If the morning rain wraps up quickly and we can clear up and warm temperatures, it will give a better storm chance later. The highest risk will be for the eastern half of the state as the cold front passes.
Weekend storm chances
After a nice break from the storms and humidity on Friday, we could have storms and the sticky/warm summer weather return Saturday. This is still deep into the forecast, but there are some strong signals for the severe weather risk over central and southern Iowa. This is a developing system, so the forecast on the intensity is uncertain. Weekend storm strength and location will come into focus by Friday.
Dallas County cooling centers open
Dallas County Emergency Management has activated its Extreme Temperature Plan ahead of this week’s hot weather. That plan includes making cooling centers available to anyone who needs a break from the heat.
“Few to no services are provided beyond what is normally available in that building,” according to county officials. “The facilities are designated as Cooling centers during their normal operational hours. It is advised to call ahead to check on open/closed status and for hours of operation.”
Dallas County cooling locations include:
- Adel: Adel Public Library, 303 South 10 Street, 515-993-3512
- Clive: Clive Public Library, 1900 NW 114th Street, 515-453-2221
- Dallas Center: Roy R Estele Memorial Library, 1308 Walnut Street, 515-992-3185
- De Soto: De Soto Library, 405 Walnut Street, 515-834-2690
- De Soto: AHeinz57 Pet Rescue, 4002 Ash Street, 515-834-1157
- Dexter: Dexter Public Library, 724 Marshall Street, 515-789-4490
- Granger: Granger Public Library, 2200 Walnut Street, 515-999-2088
- Grimes: Grimes Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, 515-986-3551
- Minburn: Minburn Public Library, 618 5th Street, 515-726-3900
- Perry: Perry Public Library, 1101 Willis Avenue, 515-465-3569
- Redfield: Redfield Public Library, 1112 Thomas Street, 515-833-2200
- Urbandale: Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th Street, 515-278-3945
- Van Meter: Van Meter Public Library, 505 Grant Street, 515-996-2435
- Waukee: Waukee Public Library, 950 Warrior Lane, 515-978-7944
- West Des Moines: West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway, 515-222-3400
- Woodward: Woodward Public Library, 118 South Main Street, 515-438-2636
Weather forces DMPS to close some summer meal sites Wednesday
Des Moines school officials have closed several free summer meal sites Wednesday due to weather.
The following locations are closed:
- AH Blank
- Crivaro Park
- McHenry Park
- Nahas Aquatic Center
- Melbourne Apartments
- Union Park
- Tower Park
