NWS Des Moines IATO.W 0043May 17, 2026
Tornado Warning: Hamilton, Hardin and Webster, IA
The National Weather Service office in Des Moines issued a tornado warning for Hamilton, Hardin and Webster in Iowa, which was in force until 10:45 p.m. local time on May 17. It was the 43rd 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 49 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
- Hamilton, Hardin and Webster
- State
- Iowa
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 9:56 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- Expires
- 10:45 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KDMX TO.W 0043
- 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... Western Hardin County in central Iowa... East central Webster County in central Iowa... Hamilton County in central Iowa... * Until 1045 PM CDT. * At 956 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located over Webster City, moving east at 45 mph. HAZARD...Tornado. 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... Webster City and Kamrar around 1000 PM CDT. Blairsburg around 1005 PM CDT. Williams around 1010 PM CDT. Alden and Buckeye around 1020 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Ellsworth, Buckeye, Blairsburg, Williams, Alden, Radcliffe, Brushy Creek St Recreation Area, Webster City Municipal Airport, Kamrar, and Drake Airport. This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 131 and 147.
What the agency told people to do
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW! This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
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.