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Severe storms cause damage in parts of western Iowa

News, Weather

May 2nd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Severe storms that ripped through Nebraska Tuesday evening brought hail the size of baseballs, tornadoes and funnel clouds. When the storms entered Iowa, they caused damage to a machine shed and grain bin near Walnut, according to KETV. The National Weather Service says at around 4:30-p.m., marble-size hail was reported two-miles east/northeast of Yale, while penny-size hail was reported a few minutes later near Jamaica, in Guthrie County.

In northwest Iowa, the Pocahontas County community of Laurens saw golf ball-size hail fall at around 5:45-p.m., and half-dollar size hail fell twice, at around 5:30-and 5:54-p.m.  A spotter near Charter Oak reported marble size hail at around 7:40-p.m., and 45-mile to 50-mile per hour winds blew near Bayard, in Guthrie County, at around 8:40-p.m., along with pea size hail.  One-inch diameter (quarter-size) hail fell near Nevada (IA) at around 5:45-p.m., and ping-pong ball size hail fell near Napier, in Story County, at around 5:30-p.m. The same size hail was also reported to have occurred near Boone. Golf ball size hail was reported north of Madrid, a little after 5-p.m., as well. Other sites saw heavy rain cause minor street flooding, and in some places, hail covered the ground, making it look more like snow.

Another round of severe weather is possible late this afternoon into this evening, with large hail and damaging wind gusts being the greatest risks, though a tornado cannot be ruled out completely. Thunderstorms are expected to develop by later in the afternoon to our southwest over Kansas and then move northeast into the state. A localized heavy rainfall threat may develop, especially in areas that see repeated rounds of thunderstorm activity.