Severe storms crossed Iowa Thursday evening and overnight, with tornado sirens going off in several areas. The National Weather Service says a funnel cloud that nearly reached the ground was reported two-miles west/south of Stuart, at around 5:48-p.m. The twister was confirmed by a trained storm spotter. About 10-minutes earlier, a trained spotter reported a similar situation, with a funnel cloud nearly to the ground two-miles north of Carbon, in Adams County. At around 5:30-p.m. Thursday, a trained storm spotter situated just north of Menlo, saw a funnel cloud to the west/northwest, or about four-miles north/northwest of Casey.

And, at around 4:47-p.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reported a funnel cloud was seen five-miles west/southwest of Carbon. Other funnel clouds were seen near Grimes, and Sandyville. Tornadoes made it to the ground near Hartford, Prairie City, Swan and near Lake Red Rock. There were no immediate reports of damage. Thunderstorm wind gusts were reported at three locations as well, with the highest gusts recorded at 60-mph.

Some tree damage occurred near Fort Dodge, in association with the winds. Heavy rain was also a factor in many storms. Here in Atlantic, we received 1.5 inches of rain from Thursday afternoon into the late evening hours. Heavy rain was also reported near Collins, in Story County, where the ditches were completely full.