Heavy rain and gusty winds from Tropical Storm Moke will impact the Big Island into Monday, risking life-threatening flooding and mudslides in windward and southeast areas. Severe thunderstorms are expected across the northern Rockies/Plains and northern Great Basin. Dangerous heat persists across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, building further into the Southwest by midweek. Read More >
Overview
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Multiple supercell-like structures developed across central Iowa from the northern to southern border. These storms produced up to baseball sized hail, as well as winds estimated up to 80 mph. Tree damage was common with these stronger storms, with a few even producing structural damage and snapping power poles. In addition to the hail and wind, rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches around and within the Des Moines metro led to flash flooding. |
 Preliminary Storm Reports for July 20th, 2026 |
Wind & Hail
Wind
Wind damage was reported in several locations across north-central and central Iowa. The most notable reported gust was 80 mph out of Franklin County. Other locations reported damage associated with severe wind gusts, including damage to residential and agricultural buildings as well as trees and power poles.
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| Tree damage from Ames. Photo credit: @villanry1 on X | Tree damage from Beed Lake State Park. Photo credit: NWS Employee Joe Russell | Power poles down in Hancock County. Photo credit: Hancock County Sheriff's Office | Destroyed grain bin near Galt. Photo credit: Jarika Beecher, Wright County EMA |
Hail
There was one notable corridor of large hail with this event from central Hamilton County to northern Story County. Hail as large as baseballs was reported just north of Story City.
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| Half-Dollar (1.25") size hail from outside of Roland. Photo credit: Story County EMA | Large Hail from Hamilton County. Photo credit: Gene Ryerson | Large Hail near Blairsburg (central Hamilton County). Photo credit: Laura Seiser |
Flooding
Heavy rain which led to flooding fell over the Des Moines metro. North of Ankeny, between 6.75 and 7.25 inches of rain were reported. Many locations around the Des Moines metro saw between 2 and 5 inches of rain in this event.
Radar/Photos
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Storm Reports
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
245 PM CDT Tue Jul 21 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0246 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SW Burt 43.16N 94.29W
07/20/2026 M63 MPH Kossuth IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0248 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Algona 43.08N 94.24W
07/20/2026 Kossuth IA Emergency Mngr
Emergency manager reports tree limbs down
across residential street. Time estimated
from radar.
0248 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Algona 43.08N 94.24W
07/20/2026 Kossuth IA Emergency Mngr
Emergency manager reports tree branch
snapped in Algona. Time estimated from
radar.
0252 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 7 SSE Rock Falls 43.12N 93.03W
07/20/2026 Cerro Gordo IA Law Enforcement
Report of a semi tractor trailer and pickup
trick with attached trailer flipped on US-18
along Cerro Gordo/Floyd Co. lines. Time
estimated from radar.
0303 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SW Britt 43.07N 93.85W
07/20/2026 Hancock IA Emergency Mngr
Emergency manager shared photos of power
pole damage along 210th st. in Hancock
county. Time esatimted from radar.
0311 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 NW Lone Rock 43.26N 94.37W
07/20/2026 M63 MPH Kossuth IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0325 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Belmond 42.85N 93.61W
07/20/2026 Wright IA Emergency Mngr
Multiple trees down via slack. Time
estimated via radar.
0335 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 6 WNW Belmond 42.88N 93.71W
07/20/2026 M62 MPH Wright IA Public
Measured by personal weather station.
0338 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 S Sheffield 42.84N 93.22W
07/20/2026 Franklin IA Emergency Mngr
Several trees down along with roof damage.
Time estimated via radar.
0340 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 S Sheffield 42.84N 93.23W
07/20/2026 M80 MPH Franklin IA Emergency Mngr
Relayed by emergency manager. Time estimated
from radar.
0341 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WNW Hampton 42.77N 93.25W
07/20/2026 Franklin IA NWS Employee
Numerous branches and a tree down in the
campgrounds.
0341 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Hampton 42.74N 93.20W
07/20/2026 M60 MPH Franklin IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0343 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NNW Galt 42.73N 93.63W
07/20/2026 M65 MPH Wright IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0345 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Galt 42.69N 93.60W
07/20/2026 Wright IA Emergency Mngr
Multiple grain bins heavily damaged. Time
estimated via radar.
0350 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Ackley 42.55N 93.05W
07/20/2026 Hardin IA Emergency Mngr
Delayed report - emergency manager relayed
photos of tree damage via NWSChat. Time
estimated via radar.
0351 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 NE Ackley 42.59N 92.99W
07/20/2026 Butler IA Emergency Mngr
Delayed report. Farm outbuildings damaged.
One destroyed. Will assess drone overflight
and satellite in the coming days for the
possibility of a tornado.
0411 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NNW Holland 42.43N 92.81W
07/20/2026 Grundy IA Public
Received report via social media of tree
damage around 199th and L Ave near Dike, IA.
Time estimated from radar.
0412 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Dike 42.46N 92.63W
07/20/2026 Grundy IA Public
Medium size tree down. Time estimated via
radar.
0415 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Eldora 42.36N 93.10W
07/20/2026 Hardin IA Emergency Mngr
Delayed report - emergency manager sent
photos of tree damage in Eldora. Time
estimated via radar.
0420 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SE Cedar Falls 42.51N 92.43W
07/20/2026 Black Hawk IA Trained Spotter
Delayed report - trained spotter reported
tree limbs 3 feet long and about 4 to 5
inches in diameter down. Time estimated from
radar.
0427 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 SSE Reinbeck 42.26N 92.56W
07/20/2026 M62 MPH Tama IA Public
PWS gust.
0434 PM Tornado 1 SSE Webster City 42.45N 93.81W
07/20/2026 Hamilton IA Law Enforcement
Multiple reports of funnel cloud, With
reports on the ground. Location estimate by
RADAR.
0439 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 5 ESE Voorhies 42.31N 92.39W
07/20/2026 M60 MPH Black Hawk IA Public
PWS gust.
0439 PM Hail 4 N Kamrar 42.45N 93.72W
07/20/2026 M1.75 Inch Hamilton IA Law Enforcement
0445 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 WNW Dysart 42.18N 92.32W
07/20/2026 M60 MPH Tama IA Public
PWS gust.
0455 PM Tornado 4 S Kamrar 42.34N 93.73W
07/20/2026 Hamilton IA Law Enforcement
Reports of Tornado on the ground.
0502 PM Funnel Cloud 1 ENE Story City 42.19N 93.57W
07/20/2026 Story IA Trained Spotter
Funnel Cloud.
0507 PM Hail 1 ENE Ellsworth 42.31N 93.56W
07/20/2026 M2.00 Inch Hamilton IA Trained Spotter
2 inch hail.
0515 PM Hail 4 N Roland 42.22N 93.50W
07/20/2026 E1.75 Inch Hamilton IA Trained Spotter
Golf ball size plus hail.
0519 PM Hail 2 NNE Roland 42.19N 93.48W
07/20/2026 E2.50 Inch Story IA Storm Chaser
Between 2 to 2.5 inch hail. Damage to
vehicles.
0522 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Albion 42.11N 92.92W
07/20/2026 M61 MPH Marshall IA ASOS
0526 PM Hail 1 NE Story City 42.20N 93.58W
07/20/2026 E2.75 Inch Story IA Storm Chaser
0612 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SSW State Center 41.98N 93.19W
07/20/2026 Marshall IA Emergency Mngr
Delayed report. Healthy pine trees snapped
off at about six feet. Microburst signatured
noted on radar in the area.
0635 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Ames 42.02N 93.54W
07/20/2026 M58 MPH Story IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0643 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 ESE Gilbert 42.10N 93.64W
07/20/2026 M62 MPH Story IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0646 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 E Ames 42.02N 93.54W
07/20/2026 M69 MPH Story IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0701 PM Hail Luther 41.97N 93.82W
07/20/2026 M1.00 Inch Boone IA NWS Employee
0711 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 S Madrid 41.83N 93.82W
07/20/2026 Dallas IA Trained Spotter
Small branches down.
0718 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 2 W Ankeny 41.74N 93.64W
07/20/2026 M58 MPH Polk IA Mesonet
Measured from personal weather station.
0735 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 NW Mitchellville 41.69N 93.40W
07/20/2026 M61 MPH Polk IA Public
measured from personal weather station.
0801 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 1 NW Sandyville 41.38N 93.40W
07/20/2026 M61 MPH Warren IA Trained Spotter
0807 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Pleasantville 41.39N 93.27W
07/20/2026 Marion IA Public
Caller reports multiple trees down with a
wind gust of 60 mph.
0835 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 E Pleasantville 41.39N 93.24W
07/20/2026 Marion IA Emergency Mngr
Trees and power lines down.
0840 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Pleasant Hill 41.59N 93.56W
07/20/2026 Polk IA Fire Dept/Rescue
Small commercial building had roof blown
completely off. Time estimated via radar.
0845 PM Flash Flood Ankeny 41.74N 93.60W
07/20/2026 Polk IA Broadcast Media
Floodwaters as high as bumpers of cars on N
Ankeny Blvd. Viewer video relayed by
WOI-TV5.
0855 PM Flood 3 W Pleasant Hill 41.59N 93.56W
07/20/2026 Polk IA Fire Dept/Rescue
Water rescue due to flooded roadways.
0858 PM Rain 2 SSE Des Moines 41.55N 93.59W
07/20/2026 M3.52 Inch Polk IA Trained Spotter
0903 PM Flood 3 NNE Des Moines 41.61N 93.59W
07/20/2026 Polk IA Fire Dept/Rescue
Water rescue due to flooded roadways.
0907 PM Hail West Des Moines 41.57N 93.75W
07/20/2026 M1.00 Inch Polk IA Public
0910 PM Rain Elkhart 41.79N 93.51W
07/20/2026 M4.50 Inch Polk IA Public
0913 PM Hail 2 SE Waukee 41.59N 93.84W
07/20/2026 M1.00 Inch Dallas IA Trained Spotter
0915 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 W New Virginia 41.18N 93.75W
07/20/2026 Warren IA Trained Spotter
Delayed report - trained spotter reported
strip of shingles blown off roof and 2.3 of
rainfall. Time estimated from radar.
0916 PM Rain Slater 41.88N 93.68W
07/20/2026 M4.16 Inch Story IA Trained Spotter
0934 PM Rain Huxley 41.90N 93.60W
07/20/2026 M4.70 Inch Story IA Public
rain measured with a personal weather
station.
0938 PM Rain 1 NE Ankeny 41.74N 93.59W
07/20/2026 E3.91 Inch Polk IA Trained Spotter
0957 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 E Van Meter 41.52N 93.89W
07/20/2026 Dallas IA Public
Delayed report. Significant tree damage on
south side of F90 and cornfield flattened.
Microburst signature noted on radar at the
time.
1028 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Centerville 40.73N 92.88W
07/20/2026 Appanoose IA Law Enforcement
Delayed report. Damage to large trees,
including one that fell on top of a home.
Power lines down in town as well. Time
estimated from radar.
1031 PM Tstm Wnd Gst Centerville 40.73N 92.87W
07/20/2026 E80 MPH Appanoose IA Public
Wind gust observed 70-80 mph. Large tree
into house. Time estimated via radar.
1038 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSW Centerville 40.68N 92.90W
07/20/2026 M58 MPH Appanoose IA ASOS
1045 PM Rain 1 SSE Ankeny 41.72N 93.60W
07/20/2026 M6.00 Inch Polk IA Public
Via social media.
1045 PM Rain 1 SE Ankeny 41.72N 93.58W
07/20/2026 M4.50 Inch Polk IA Public
Via social media.
1045 PM Rain 2 NW Ankeny 41.75N 93.63W
07/20/2026 M5.50 Inch Polk IA Public
Via social media.
1045 PM Rain 2 NE Saylorville 41.70N 93.60W
07/20/2026 M4.50 Inch Polk IA Public
Via social media.
1100 PM Rain Clive 41.61N 93.77W
07/20/2026 M4.00 Inch Polk IA Public
1126 PM Rain Waukee 41.61N 93.86W
07/20/2026 M4.75 Inch Dallas IA Public
0600 AM Rain Huxley 41.89N 93.60W
07/21/2026 M7.25 Inch Story IA Public
Overnight storm total.
0620 AM Rain 2 NNE Waukee 41.63N 93.85W
07/21/2026 M3.87 Inch Dallas IA Cocorahs
Overnight storm total.
0640 AM Rain Elkhart 41.79N 93.52W
07/21/2026 M4.66 Inch Polk IA Public
Overnight storm total.
0645 AM Rain 2 NNE Ankeny 41.76N 93.58W
07/21/2026 M5.70 Inch Polk IA Public
Overnight storm total.
0700 AM Rain Indianola 41.36N 93.56W
07/21/2026 M4.00 Inch Warren IA Public
Overnight storm total.
0845 AM Rain Ankeny 41.73N 93.61W
07/21/2026 M5.95 Inch Polk IA Public
Via social media.
1100 AM Rain 5 W Story City 42.19N 93.69W
07/21/2026 M3.85 Inch Story IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Pleasantville 41.39N 93.27W
07/21/2026 M4.80 Inch Marion IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Ankeny 41.74N 93.60W
07/21/2026 M6.60 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 3 WSW Altoona 41.64N 93.53W
07/21/2026 M5.00 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Dumont 42.75N 92.97W
07/21/2026 E3.23 Inch Butler IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Clive 41.61N 93.77W
07/21/2026 M4.00 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Altoona 41.65N 93.48W
07/21/2026 M4.50 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 2 ENE Waukee 41.62N 93.83W
07/21/2026 M4.00 Inch Dallas IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 2 NW Waukee 41.63N 93.89W
07/21/2026 M3.30 Inch Dallas IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 1 N West Des Moines 41.59N 93.76W
07/21/2026 M4.90 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Pleasant Hill 41.59N 93.51W
07/21/2026 M4.25 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 2 W Ames 42.02N 93.67W
07/21/2026 M3.50 Inch Story IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Lorimor 41.13N 94.06W
07/21/2026 M3.25 Inch Union IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Leon 40.74N 93.74W
07/21/2026 M3.10 Inch Decatur IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Grimes 41.69N 93.79W
07/21/2026 M3.95 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Hartford 41.46N 93.40W
07/21/2026 M4.10 Inch Warren IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 1 NW West Des Moines 41.58N 93.77W
07/21/2026 M5.20 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Elkhart 41.79N 93.52W
07/21/2026 M6.75 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 2 ESE Altoona 41.64N 93.44W
07/21/2026 M5.10 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 2 NNW Saylorville 41.71N 93.63W
07/21/2026 M6.00 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 1 NE West Des Moines 41.58N 93.74W
07/21/2026 M5.20 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Sheldahl 41.86N 93.70W
07/21/2026 M6.90 Inch Story IA Public
Event total. Via social media. Most of the
rain fell over two hours.
1201 PM Rain 1 NNE Mitchellville 41.68N 93.35W
07/21/2026 M4.80 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain Roland 42.17N 93.49W
07/21/2026 M4.00 Inch Story IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1201 PM Rain 2 NE Ankeny 41.75N 93.57W
07/21/2026 M4.75 Inch Polk IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1207 PM Rain Slater 41.88N 93.68W
07/21/2026 M7.10 Inch Story IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
1222 PM Rain Ames 42.02N 93.63W
07/21/2026 M3.25 Inch Story IA Public
Event total. Via social media.
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