Iowa Tornado Warning | Effective 05/18/2026 16:47

Headline: 
Tornado Warning issued May 18 at 6:47PM CDT until May 18 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Event: 
Tornado Warning
Urgency: 
Immediate
Effective: 
May 18, 2026 - 4:47pm
Expires: 
May 18, 2026 - 5:30pm
Description: 
At 646 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Blockton, or 12 miles southwest of Mount Ayr, moving east at 35 mph. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and half dollar size hail. SOURCE...Weather spotters confirmed tornado. At 640pm, a spotter reported a possible rain-wrapped tornado 7 miles southeast of Bedford. 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 tornado will be near... Redding, Benton, Maloy, and Delphos around 650 PM CDT. Mount Ayr and Mt Ayr Municipal Airport around 700 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Delphos, Diagonal, Maloy, Mt Ayr Municipal Airport, Benton, Blockton, Clearfield, and Redding.
Instruction: 
To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. 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.
Area Description: 
Ringgold, IA; Taylor, IA
Forcast Office: 
NWS Des Moines IA