What are the risks during an Iowa tornado watch?

The tornado watch indicates conditions are favorable for intense tornadoes, with possibilities of large hail up to 3.5 inches and winds reaching 70 mph.

What is the safest place to be during a tornado warning in Iowa?

The safest place is a basement or the lowest floor of a building, with multiple walls between you and the outside, and away from windows.

What should drivers do if a tornado warning is issued in Iowa?

Drivers should safely leave the road and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no building is available, lie flat in a depression and cover your head, avoiding highway overpasses.

Home / Weather / Iowa Braces for Tornado Outbreak: Safety Tips Inside

Iowa Braces for Tornado Outbreak: Safety Tips Inside

17 Apr

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Summary

Tornado watch affects 61 of Iowa's 99 counties.
Up to 3.5-inch hail and 70 mph winds are possible.
NWS advises seeking shelter in basements or lowest floors.

Iowa Braces for Tornado Outbreak: Safety Tips Inside

A tornado watch has been issued for significant portions of eastern Iowa, impacting 61 counties including major cities like Des Moines and Ames. This alert remains in effect until 8 p.m. on April 17, 2026.

Meteorologists predict a possibility of intense tornadoes, accompanied by widespread large hail potentially reaching 3.5 inches in diameter and wind gusts as high as 70 mph. There is a 40% probability of one or more strong tornadoes (EF2-EF5) and a 60% probability of two or more tornadoes developing within the watch area.

The National Weather Service emphasizes immediate safety precautions. During a tornado, the safest place is a basement or the lowest level of a building, with multiple walls between you and the outdoors. Avoiding windows is crucial, and remember that hills or water do not provide natural protection.