NWS Des Moines IATO.W 0048May 18, 2026
Tornado Warning: Clarke, Decatur, Ringgold and 1 more, IA
The National Weather Service office in Des Moines issued a tornado warning for Clarke, Decatur, Ringgold and 1 more in Iowa, which was in force until 7:45 p.m. local time on May 18. It was the 48th tornado warning the NWS office in Des Moines issued in 2026. Iowa had 40 tornado warnings in May 2026, against 20 in an average May of 2008-2025 (Iowa's tornado warnings by year).
ExpiredWarning
In force for 39 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Des Moines IA
- Area
- Clarke, Decatur, Ringgold and 1 more
- State
- Iowa
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 7:06 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2026
- Expires
- 7:45 p.m. CDT, May 18, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KDMX TO.W 0048
- Official source
- National Weather Service: the notice at its source
Tornado Warnings in Iowa since 2008Every warning type in Iowa
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. AreaZine rebuilds this page from the agency's record; the agency's page is the one to act on. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.
The notice as issued
TORDMX The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Northwestern Decatur County in south central Iowa... Southeastern Union County in south central Iowa... Northeastern Ringgold County in south central Iowa... Southwestern Clarke County in south central Iowa... * Until 745 PM CDT. * At 705 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located over Mount Ayr, moving northeast at 40 mph. HAZARD...Damaging tornado and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Emergency management confirmed tornado. 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. * The tornado will be near... Ellston and Beaconsfield around 715 PM CDT. Sun Valley Lake around 720 PM CDT. Grand River around 725 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Grand River, Mt Ayr Municipal Airport, Ellston, Tingley, Beaconsfield, and Kellerton. This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 15 and 18.
What the agency told people to do
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.
Source: National Weather Service: the notice at its source. The text is the agency's, unedited. A U.S. Government work, in the public domain.