Authorities say an investigation is underway into a property damage accident that happened Saturday night in Adair County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 1999 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 23-year old Stephen Mages, of Panama, was traveling east on Interstate 80 near the Stuart exit, when a 2008 Toyota SUV operated by 35-year old Dax Wedeneyer, of West Des Moines, that parked on the shoulder, attempted to make a U-turn and struck the pickup.

No injuries were reported. The accident happened at around 10:35-p.m.

TORNADO WATCH 145 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 300 AM CDT MONDAY, MAY 12th FOR THE
FOLLOWING IOWA COUNTIES in the KJAN listening area:

ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON CASS CRAWFORD DALLAS GUTHRIE MADISON RINGGOLD SAC TAYLOR UNION.

305 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

CASS- AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-ADAIR-ADAMS-CARROLL-CRAWFORD- MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD-UNION-PAGE COUNTIES…

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH 7-A.M. MONDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF IOWA AND NEBRASKA  THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

* HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL MOISTURE CONTENT COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS WILL RESULT IN AREAS OF FLASH FLOODING INTO EARLY MONDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION

SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK; 220 PM CDT SUN MAY 11 2014

TORNADO WATCH 142 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

IOWA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE:

ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON CASS FREMONT HARRISON MILLS MONTGOMERY PAGE POTTAWATTAMIE RINGGOLD SHELBY TAYLOR UNION

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Forecasters are warning that strong thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes could develop in eastern Nebraska and Iowa this afternoon. The National Weather Service says there is a moderate risk of severe weather in the area through tonight. A tornado warning was issued at midday for south-central Iowa and there were reports of strong winds and quarter-size hail near Osceola.

The weather service says parts of central and northern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska and most of Iowa are likely to see strong thunderstorms, large hail, strong winds and tornadoes.

Yesterday, heavy storms and at least one tornado hit northwestern Missouri, damaging homes and power lines. No injuries were reported. The National Weather Service said a confirmed tornado hit the Ray County town of Orrick last evening.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet during a regular session Monday evening in the High School Media Center, beginning at 7:30. On their agenda is the approval of General and Special Education contracts, other contracts, amended contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, approval of volunteer coaches and any resignations.

The Board will also hear a report on Dropout Prevention from the EOC (Educational Opportunity Center),discuss a revised Capital Projects Plans, and, act on approving the following:

• Milk and Garbage bids.
• 2014-2015 Budget Cost Reduction.
• The second reading of 900 Series Board Policies.
• Employment of New Teachers.
• 2014-15 School Fees.
• 2014-15 Lunch Prices.
• 2014-15 Certified Employees Contract Settlement.
• and, the 2014-15 Non-Certidied Employees Contract settlement.

The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment is set to meet early Monday morning, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. On the agenda for the 7:30-a.m. session, are two public hearings. The first is with regard to a variance application by Greg and Debra Williams at 6 East 12th Street in Atlantic. If approved, the variance would allow for a residential home addition on a lot defined as non-conforming in the Zoning Ordinance. The site of the addition is 6 East 12th Street.

The second public hearing is with regard to the same property and property owners, who are requesting a variance that would allow for an addition to a principal residential property not conforming to yard requirements as set forth in the Zoning Ordinance.

In other business, the Board of Adjustment will welcome and introduce Dick Scybert to the Board, and take nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair, prior to action of the election of persons to those positions. The Board will also act to clarify an ordinance concerning uses permitted and prohibited in Article 19 “Home Occupations,” of the City of Atlantic Zoning Ordinance.

Forecasters are warning residents of Iowa and nearby states to stay alert to the likelihood of an explosive outbreak of severe weather today. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10-a.m. for Fremont, Mills and Pottawattamie County. National Weather Service Meteorologist Kenny Podrazik, in Johnston, told KJAN News people need to be ready to react quickly, especially if you are planning to be outdoors. Severe storms popped-up early this morning in southeast Nebraska, and were moving toward western Iowa.

Podrazik says there will essentially be two rounds of storms today. The first round will move through this morning, bringing with it the possibility of large hail and heavy rain. After those storms move northeast and clear out by mid-day, that will allow the atmosphere to become even more unstable and set the stage for severe weather this afternoon and tonight. Podrazik says they’re expecting Super Cell tornadoes and large hail. The potential exists for large, long-tracking tornadoes with this event, which forecasters began warning about early Saturday morning.

He says while it’s hard to tell how bad the tornadoes might rate on the “Enhanced Fujita Scale”until after the damage is done, the experts have an idea of what we might expect. Podrazik says the Severe Storms Prediction Center in Norman, OK., does have a “10-percent ‘hatched’ area across much of central and southwest Iowa.” That means there’s a 10-percent chance of an EF-2 to EF-5 tornado within 25 miles of a certain point. An EF-2 consists of 111-to 135-mile per hour winds and causes considerable damage. An EF-5 packs winds of up to 200-miles per hour and cause “Incredible damage.”

He says that while 10% may not seem like a high probability, climatologically speaking, it’s a pretty good chance for Iowa. Podrazik says residents need to stay close to their NOAA Weather Radio, tune-in area TV and/or Radio stations, and be prepared to act if the sirens sound in their community. Other ways to follow the storm watches and warnings are on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and at www.weather.gov/desmoines.

If severe weather strikes, get to the lowest level of your home or business, underneath a staircase or heavy-duty table. If that’s not available, go to an interior room in the building without windows, get as low as possible and cover yourself with blankets. Opening the windows during a tornado WILL NOT matter as far as equalizing pressure in the home and trying to prevent damage. Seeking shelter should be your first and only priority.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report two arrests early this (Sunday) morning. Just before 3-a.m., Joshua Allen Mills, of Red Oak, was stopped in the 200 block of Nuckols Street in Red Oak. Mills was charged with Possession of drug paraphernalia, and then released.

And, at around 3:15-a.m., deputies called to investigate a report of a subject walking along Highway 48 south of Red Oak, arrested Keaton Athur Dyche, of Shenandoah. Dyche was taken into custody for Public Intoxication. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 cash bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — At the urging of Gov. Terry Branstad, lawmakers approved a bill last session aimed at making Iowa more attractive to military veterans and help them find jobs. The bill, called Home Base Iowa, exempts federal retirement pay from state income taxes and makes it easier to obtain licenses for civilian jobs based on military training. Branstad says he hopes to sign the bill on Memorial Day at Camp Dodge in Johnston.