(Des Moines, IA) – A series of severe thunderstorms battered Iowa from Friday, May 15, 2026, until Monday, May 18.
The storms brought a range of severe hazards, including winds exceeding 80 mph and hail the size of baseballs. Additionally, considerable rainfall resulted in flash flooding, particularly impacting Taylor, Ringgold, and Decatur counties.
Over the course of three days, at least 25 tornadoes were reported across the state. The National Weather Service confirmed that 23 tornadoes developed on Sunday night, primarily affecting northwest Iowa, with many categorized as EF-0 or EF-1.
A tornado was also verified in Taylor County on Saturday, and another EF-1 tornado occurred in Ringgold County on Monday. As of now, Iowa has recorded a total of 51 confirmed tornadoes this year, surpassing the 32 tornadoes confirmed throughout 2025.
