(Updated) — Heavy rain falling over parts of northwest and western Iowa overnight into early this (Thursday) morning, prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for Woodbury County. That warning has since expired. The service said early today (Thursday), that up to 3 inches of rain already had fallen and that thunderstorms in the area were expected to drop heavy rain.

Severe thunderstorms moved through much of western Iowa Wednesday evening, spawning at least one confirmed tornado. The service says the twister touched down near Persia, in Harrison County. Another tornado was observed not far from the Tri-Center High School, in Neola. No structural damage or injuries have been reported, however, hail ranging in size from nickels to quarters, and strong, straight-line winds flattened some corn and soybean field north of Neola, where they received more than an inch of rain.

And, hail up to the size of golf balls was reported three miles southwest of Underwood.