NWS Sioux Falls SDTO.W 0016May 17, 2026
Tornado Warning: Clay and Dickinson, IA
The National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls issued a tornado warning for Clay and Dickinson in Iowa, which was in force until 9:45 p.m. local time on May 17. It was the 16th tornado warning the NWS office in Sioux Falls 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 51 minutes; it has expired. The agency may have replaced it with a new notice.
The notice
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Sioux Falls SD
- Area
- Clay and Dickinson
- State
- Iowa
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 8:54 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- Expires
- 9:45 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KFSD TO.W 0016
- 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
TORFSD The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a * Tornado Warning for... Dickinson County in northwestern Iowa... North central Clay County in northwestern Iowa... * Until 945 PM CDT. * At 853 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near West Okoboji, or 10 miles southwest of Spirit Lake, moving northeast at 30 mph. HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. 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. * These dangerous storms will be near... Spirit Lake, Milford, Arnolds Park, Lake Park, Okoboji, Orleans, Wahpeton, and West Okoboji around 900 PM CDT. Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include Superior.
What the agency told people to do
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. Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
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.