(NWS storm reports) – For the third night in a row, severe storms traversed from eastern Nebraska into western Iowa, accompanied by high wind, destructive tornadoes, heavy rain and hail. The National Weather Service Offices in Omaha and Des Moines have compiled initial storm reports from spotters, emergency management officials and automated weather observation sites across the area. The first reports of the storm event began in Harrison County at around 8:33-p.m., when a personal weather observation station (PWOS) near Missouri Valley recorded a 65-mph wind gust.
Other reports include:
- A 62-mph gust of wind was recorded noted near Rodney, in Monona County, at around 7:48-p.m.
- 70-mph winds were recorded at around 8:55-p.m. in Sac City (Sac County, IA).
- At 9:01-p.m. emergency responders in Calhoun County reported a tornado near Pomeroy. A few minutes later, a tornado was seen between Pocahontas and Havelock, in Pocahontas County.
- A trained spotter reported seeing a tornado in/near Graettinger (Palo Alto County), at around 9:14-p.m.
- In Pottawattamie County at around 9:16-p.m., a personal weather station (PWOS) near Oakland recorded a wind gust of 60-mph.
- At around 9:19-p.m., a personal weather station near Henderson recorded a 72 mph gust of wind.
- Thunderstorm winds damaged trees in Estherville at around 9:23-p.m.
- Emergency management in Webster County confirmed a semi tractor-trailer was blown over at around 9:34-p.m.
- At approximately 9:28-p.m., Sunday, tornado was confirmed by emergency management via webcam south of Armstrong, in Emmet County. Another tornado was confirmed in Kossuth County, south of Wesley, at around 9:38-p.m.
- An 82-mph wind gust was reported at 9:41-p.m. from a site W/NW of Gruver, in Emmet County.
- Thunderstorm wind damage to trees was reported around 9:42-p.m. near Ledyard, in Kossuth County. Thunderstorm-related tree damage was also reported in Algona.
- Emergency Management in Winnebago County reported powerline sparking/flashing near Crystal Lake, at around 9:59-p.m.
- Fire officials in Cerro Gordo County reported a tornado on the ground 3 miles S. of Mason City at around 10:21-p.m.
Plymouth County Emergency Management officials, Sunday, said the city of Kingsley had sustained significant damage after the severe weather event. In a press release, officials say all people were being turned away from entering Kingsley, and numerous power lines have fallen. Management says Kingsley residents are strongly encouraged to stay indoors until routes are cleared and power lines are restored. Emergency Management says updates will be posted to the Plymouth County Emergency Management Facebook page.
Preliminary reports indicate that a tornado may have touched down in the Salix and Pierson areas in Woodbury County, damaging homes and causing power outages. According to Woodbury County Emergency Management, crews are actively evaluating damage and gathering information following the storms that passed through Northwest Iowa on Sunday, May 17th. Sunday night, there were reports of power outages, damaged buildings, and downed trees.
KTIV in Sioux City said as of late Sunday night, there were: 8 reports of tornadoes of varying intensity and duration in northwest Iowa; Nearly 30 reports of damaging winds (Those in excess of 70-mph); and nearly a dozen reports of hail 2-inches or more in diameter.
Thousands of people were left without power in eastern Nebraska and parts of western Iowa, as the storms rolled through the area. Crews worked diligently through the night and into the early morning hours today (Monday), to restore the systems that were affected.
