Home / Weather / Iowa Braces for Tornado Outbreak: Safety Tips Inside
Iowa Braces for Tornado Outbreak: Safety Tips Inside
17 Apr
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.
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.
If caught driving, do not attempt to outrun a tornado. Safely exit the roadway and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no building is available, avoid highway overpasses, which can act as dangerous wind tunnels. Instead, lie flat in a nearby depression and cover your head.
A tornado watch signifies favorable conditions for tornado development, while a tornado warning indicates a tornado is imminent or occurring, requiring immediate shelter. Warnings can be radar-indicated or confirmed by sightings.
