Iowa Severe Thunderstorm Warning | Effective 05/17/2026 19:02

Headline: 
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 17 at 9:02PM CDT until May 17 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Event: 
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Urgency: 
Immediate
Effective: 
May 17, 2026 - 7:02pm
Expires: 
May 17, 2026 - 7:45pm
Description: 
SVRDMX The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... Webster County in central Iowa... Eastern Pocahontas County in northwestern Iowa... Western Wright County in north central Iowa... Kossuth County in north central Iowa... Northeastern Calhoun County in west central Iowa... Humboldt County in north central Iowa... Northwestern Hamilton County in central Iowa... Eastern Palo Alto County in northwestern Iowa... * Until 945 PM CDT. * At 901 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Havelock, or 6 miles north of Pocahontas, 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... Fort Dodge, Webster City, Algona, Emmetsburg, Dakota City, Humboldt, Eagle Grove, Manson, Gowrie, Five Island Lake, Union Slogh, Fort Dodge Regional Airport, West Bend, Bancroft, Goldfield, Coalville, Rolfe, Badger, Otho, and Burt.
Instruction: 
This is a DANGEROUS SITUATION. This storm is 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. This storm may cause serious injury and significant property damage. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for north central and northwestern Iowa. A Tornado Watch also remains in effect until 300 AM CDT for central and west central Iowa.
Area Description: 
Calhoun, IA; Hamilton, IA; Humboldt, IA; Kossuth, IA; Palo Alto, IA; Pocahontas, IA; Webster, IA; Wright, IA
Forcast Office: 
NWS Des Moines IA