NWS Des Moines IATO.W 0042May 17, 2026
Tornado Warning: Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin and 3 more, IA
The National Weather Service office in Des Moines issued a tornado warning for Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin and 3 more in Iowa, which was in force until 10:30 p.m. local time on May 17. It was the 42nd 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 45 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
- Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin and 3 more
- State
- Iowa
- Level
- Warning
- Issued
- 9:45 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- Expires
- 10:30 p.m. CDT, May 17, 2026
- CAP severity, certainty, urgency
- Extreme, Observed, Immediate
- VTEC event
- KDMX TO.W 0042
- 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 Hardin County in central Iowa... Northeastern Webster County in central Iowa... Southern Wright County in north central Iowa... Southwestern Franklin County in north central Iowa... Southeastern Humboldt County in north central Iowa... Northern Hamilton County in central Iowa... * Until 1030 PM CDT. * At 945 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Sportsman Park, or 10 miles northwest of Webster City, moving east at 55 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. * This dangerous storm will be near... Woolstock around 950 PM CDT. Big Wall Lake around 1000 PM CDT. Dows and Popejoy around 1010 PM CDT. Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Vincent, Galt, Latimer, Dows, Clarion Municipal Airport, Goldfield, Woolstock, Rowan, Coulter, and Eagle Grove Municipal Airport. This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 147 and 167.
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. 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.