Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Iowa, May 25 to 26, 2008

Name: Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Iowa, May 25 to 26, 2008
Start: 2008-05-25T16:50
End: 2008-05-26T01:00
Location: Iowa

May 25 to 26, 2008 · NWS DVN · 46 events in 13 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 4
Property damage: $2.8 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 46

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DVN wrote it up.

Heavy rain-producing showers and thunderstorms moved across much of eastern Iowa and northwest and west central Illinois from the evening of May 25th to the early morning of May 26th. Some of the stronger storms also produced tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail. Buchanan, Delaware, and Dubuque counties in Iowa were hardest hit with the heavy rains, where rainfall totals of 3 to 8 inches fell resulting in flash flooding.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Quad Cities, IA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 25, 4:10 PM CST, 40 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 25, 4:10 PM CST, 40 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
510 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

.UPDATE...
TORNADO WATCH 363 WAS EXPANDED INTO CLARK AND SCOTLAND COUNTIES IN
NORTHEAST MO AROUND 430 PM. AFTER COORDINATION WITH SPC DECIDED TO
INCLUDE CLARK AND SCOTLAND COUNTIES IN THE TOR WATCH TO FILL IN THE
GAP WITH SVR WATCH TO OUR SOUTH. UPDATED WCN AND ZFP WERE SENT AT
THAT TIME.  ...DLF...

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
AT MID DAY THE COLD FRONT STRETCHED FROM ERN SD THROUGH SCNTRL NE
WITH THE WARM FRONT EXTENDING SE FROM WRN MN THROUGH ERN IA. TEMPS
IN THE WARM SECTOR WERE WELL INTO THE 80S WITH DEW POINTS IN THE
UPPER 60S TO MID 70S WHICH WERE YIELDING SBCAPES OVER 4000 J/KG
AND LITTLE IF ANY CAP. LOW LEVEL CONVERGENT FLOW IN THE WARM
SECTOR HAS PRODUCED A BROAD SWATH OF CU. MORE STABLE AIR WAS FOUND
EAST OF THE WARM FRONT WHERE STRATUS WAS HOLDING TEMPS BACK IN THE
UPPER 60S TO MID 70S.

&&

.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT AND MEMORIAL DAY...
MAIN FOCUS WILL BE THE CONVECTIVE DEVELOPMENT THIS
AFTERNOON/EVENING AND RESULTING SEVERE POTENTIAL FOR THE CWFA THEN
THE HEAVY RAIN THREAT OVERNIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING. EXPECT TSRA
TO DEVELOP AND LINE UP OVER WESTERN IA/SCNTRL MN WITHIN THE NEXT
FEW HOURS IN AREA WERE CU FIELD HAS DEVELOPED AND THEN PUSH EAST
INTO THE CWFA...PROBABLY AFTER 00Z. EXPECT SEVERE THREAT TO BE
LIMITED TO ABOUT THE NW 1/3 OF THE CWFA AND CONFINED TO THE
EVENING HOURS. BASED ON 18Z DVN SOUNDING WITH NEARLY LINEAR WINDS
AND DRY AIR IN THE MID LEVELS...WOULD EXPECT SEVERE THREAT TO BE
PRIMARILY LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.  ALTHOUGH THE WIND
THREAT SHOULD BE MAINLY DURING THE EARLY EVENING DUE TO THE
STABILIZING BOUNDARY LAYER. ALSO LATEST RUC FCST WAS SHOWING 0-1KM
HELICITIES INCREASING ALONG AND NORTH OF HWY 20...SO AN ISOLATED
TORNADO CAN/T BE RULED OUT IN THE FAR NORTH IF THE TSRA MAKE IT
INTO THIS AREA BY EARLY THIS EVENING. FOCUS WILL TURN TO HEAVY
RAIN POTENTIAL AFTER MIDNIGHT...ESPECIALLY OVER THE SRN 1/3 OF THE
CWFA. THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FROM 06Z THROUGH
18Z. MODELS CONTINUE TO POINT TOWARD MCS DEVELOPING OVER NERN KS
ON THE NOSE OF THE LLJ LATE THIS EVENING AND MOVING EAST AHEAD OF
THE SURFACE FRONT. LATEST INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE ORGANIZED HEAVIER
RAINS MAY FALL A LITTLE FURTHER SOUTH THAN PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED...BUT
POTENTIAL STILL EXISTS FOR AREAS SOUTH OF I80. TSRA SHOULD WEAKEN
MONDAY MORNING AS LLJ SHUTS DOWN. WITH BOUNDARY IN THE AREA
THOUGH...WOULD EXPECT POTENTIAL FOR SCT SHRA/TSRA THROUGH THE
AFTERNOON...ESPECIALLY SOUTH. ...DLF...

.LONG TERM...MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH NEXT SUNDAY...
MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...PERIODS OF RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE MONDAY
NIGHT INTO TUESDAY AS A SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT SAGS SOUTH ACROSS THE
REGION.  GFS/ECMWF MODEL SOUNDINGS SHOW PRECIPITABLE WATERS RANGING
AROUND 1.5 INCHES ACROSS EASTERN IOWA AND WESTERN ILLINOIS OVER
NIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.  WITH A DEEPLY SATURATED ATMOSPHERE AND
SURFACE COLD FRONT SERVING AS A FOCUSING MECHANISM FOR CONVECTION...
THUNDERSTORMS SOME WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN...ARE LIKELY TO DEVELOP.
MODEL DATA INDICATE THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE FORECAST AREA WILL BE
MOST AT RISK FOR THE HEAVIEST RAIN.  THEREFORE WE HAVE CONTINUED A
FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THIS REGION THROUGH 1 PM MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE
ECMWF/GFS PROG THE COLD FRONT TO MOVE SOUTH TO NEAR SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS AND CENTRAL MISSOURI BY 12Z TUESDAY.  THE MODELS SHOW A
1029 MB HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BUILD INTO THE AREA AND DRY OUT
THE ATMOSPHERE DURING THE DAY ON TUESDAY.

WEDNESDAY THROUGH NEXT SUNDAY...HIGH PRESSURE WITH SUNNY SKIES AND
PLEASANT TEMPERATURES WILL DOMINATE OUR WEATHER WEDNESDAY AND
THURSDAY...AS AN UPPER LEVEL RIDGE DEVELOPS ACROSS THE CENTRAL
PLAINS AND MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES.  THE NEXT CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION WILL BE FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY AS THE ECMWF/GFS PROG A
SHORTWAVE AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT TO MOVE ACROSS THE REGION. NEXT
SUNDAY SHOULD BE DRY AS HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS INTO THE AREA BEHIND
THE DEPARTING COLD FRONT. ...KUHL...

&&

.AVIATION...
WARM FRONT TO CONTINUE MOVING EAST THROUGH THE CWFA THIS AFTERNOON
WHICH WILL SCOUR OUT THE MVFR AND PATCHY IFR CIGS AND VSBYS. AFTER
00Z EXPECT MAINLY VFR CONDITIONS EARLY. SCT TO BKN LINE OF TSRA
EXPECTED TO MOVE OUT OF CENTRAL IA AND IMPACT KCID/KDBQ/KMLI
MAINLY BTWN 01Z AND 05Z. ISOLATED SEVERE TSRA ARE POSSIBLE
ESPECIALLY AT KCID AND KDBQ. LARGE THUNDERSTORM COMPLEX EXPECTED
TO MOVE EAST ALONG IA/MO BORDER AFTER MIDNIGHT RESULTING IN
PERIODS MVFR CIGS AND VSBYS AT MOST TAF SITES. THUNDERSTORM
THREAT SHOULD DECREASE WITH IMPROVING CONDITIONS AFTER 15Z.

&&

.DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY
     AFTERNOON FOR DES MOINES-HENRY IA-JEFFERSON-KEOKUK-LEE-
     LOUISA-VAN BUREN-WASHINGTON.

IL...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY
     AFTERNOON FOR HANCOCK-HENDERSON-MCDONOUGH-MERCER-WARREN.

MO...FLASH FLOOD WATCH FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY
     AFTERNOON FOR CLARK-SCOTLAND.

&&

DLF/KUHL

Hazardous weather outlook, May 25, 12:33 PM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
133 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

IAZ040>042-051>054-063>068-076>078-087>089-098-099-ILZ001-002-007-
009-015>018-024>026-034-035-MOZ009-010-261000-
BENTON IA-BUCHANAN IA-BUREAU IL-CARROLL IL-CEDAR IA-CLARK MO-
CLINTON IA-DELAWARE IA-DES MOINES IA-DUBUQUE IA-HANCOCK IL-
HENDERSON IL-HENRY IA-HENRY IL-IOWA IA-JACKSON IA-JEFFERSON IA-
JO DAVIESS IL-JOHNSON IA-JONES IA-KEOKUK IA-LEE IA-LINN IA-LOUISA IA-
MCDONOUGH IL-MERCER IL-MUSCATINE IA-PUTNAM IL-ROCK ISLAND IL-
SCOTLAND MO-SCOTT IA-STEPHENSON IL-VAN BUREN IA-WARREN IL-
WASHINGTON IA-WHITESIDE IL-
133 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL
ILLINOIS...NORTHWEST ILLINOIS...WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...EAST
CENTRAL IOWA...NORTHEAST IOWA...SOUTHEAST IOWA AND NORTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND BECOME MORE
WIDESPREAD TONIGHT. SEVERE STORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE AFTER 6 PM. THE
AREA MOST AT RISK IS WEST OF A LINE FROM FREEPORT ILLINOIS TO
SIGOURNEY IOWA. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE LARGE HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF
QUARTERS...STRONG TO DAMAGING WINDS OF UP TO 70 MPH...AND LOCALLY
HEAVY RAIN.

LATE TONIGHT A LARGE THUNDERSTORM COMPLEX WILL INTERACT WITH
BOUNDARIES LEFT OVER FROM EARLIER THUNDERSTORMS. WINDS ALOFT ARE
FAVORABLE FOR STORMS TO MOVE OVER THE SAME AREA. THIS TRAINING OF
STORMS WILL RESULT IN LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN. THE AREA MOST AT RISK FOR
HEAVY RAIN IS ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM SIGOURNEY IOWA TO ALEDO
ILLINOIS.

WITHIN THIS AREA...GENERAL RAINFALL OF 1 TO 1.5 INCHES IS POSSIBLE.
ALTHOUGH THE EXACT LOCATION CANNOT BE DETERMINED...A NARROW CORRIDOR
OF 3 INCHES OR MORE IS POSSIBLE. THEREFORE...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH
CONTINUES FOR AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF A SIGOURNEY TO ALEDO LINE
THROUGH 1 PM MONDAY AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT...THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE MAINLY ALONG
AND SOUTH OF I-80.  ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAINS OF AN INCH OR MORE...
MAINLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 34...COULD RESULT IN LOCALIZED
FLASH FLOODING AND RENEWED FLOODING ON AREA RIVERS. SOME OF THE
STORMS MAY BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS
WITH PENNY SIZED HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS OVER 50 MPH THE PRIMARY RISK.

THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS LOCATIONS SOUTH OF I-80 OUTLOOKED FOR
A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT.

FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY...ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE
THUNDERSTORMS OVER PORTIONS OF THE UPPER MIDWEST. CONDITIONS REMAIN
TOO UNCLEAR TO ASSESS ANY SEVERE RISK OR HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL AT THIS
TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED AFTER 6 PM THIS EVENING. REPORTS OF
RAINFALL OVER ONE HALF INCH ARE APPRECIATED.

08/NICHOLS/KUHL

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 25, 1:53 PM CST, 2 hours 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
253 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0843 AM     HAIL             WEST LIBERTY            41.57N 91.26W
05/25/2008  M0.50 INCH       MUSCATINE          IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SPOTTER ALSO REPORTED HEAVY RAIN.

0845 AM     HAIL             SE WEST LIBERTY         41.57N 91.26W
05/25/2008  M0.25 INCH       MUSCATINE          IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

0945 AM     HAIL             NNE DONAHUE             41.70N 90.67W
05/25/2008  M0.25 INCH       SCOTT              IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ALSO REPORTED 0.75 INCHES OF RAIN IN PAST HALF HOUR.

1012 AM     HAIL             PRINCETON               41.67N 90.36W
05/25/2008  M0.25 INCH       SCOTT              IA   TRAINED SPOTTER

1014 AM     TSTM WND GST     2 N LONG GROVE          41.72N 90.58W
05/25/2008  E40.00 MPH       SCOTT              IA   NWS EMPLOYEE

1119 AM     HAIL             2 WSW ROCK FALLS        41.76N 89.73W
05/25/2008  E0.50 INCH       WHITESIDE          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

1123 AM     HAIL             1 SE MACOMB             40.46N 90.67W
05/25/2008  M0.88 INCH       MCDONOUGH          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ALSO REPORTED HEAVY RAIN.

1127 AM     HAIL             ROCK FALLS              41.77N 89.69W
05/25/2008  E0.88 INCH       WHITESIDE          IL   PUBLIC

1131 AM     HAIL             1 NW BUSHNELL           40.56N 90.51W
05/25/2008  M0.88 INCH       MCDONOUGH          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

1131 AM     HAIL             2 WSW MACOMB            40.46N 90.71W
05/25/2008  M1.00 INCH       MCDONOUGH          IL   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

TS

Special weather statement, May 25, 4:28 PM CST, 22 minutes before

IAZ040-252330-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
528 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE QUAD CITIES HAS ISSUED A SPECIAL
WEATHER STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...

IN IOWA
     BUCHANAN

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
     AURORA...HAZLETON...INDEPENDENCE...JESUP...QUASQUETON...
     LITTLETON AND WINTHROP

AT 530 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM 20 MILES WEST OF JESUP...OR ABOUT 8 MILES
NORTHWEST OF WATERLOO...MOVING EAST AT 36 MPH. THIS STORM IS
PRODUCING TORNADOES AND EXTREMELY LARGE HAIL OF BASEBALL TO SOFTBALL
SIZE TO THE NORTHWEST OF WATERLOO...NEAR CEDAR FALLS. IF THE STORM
MAINTAINS ITS INTENSITY AND CURRENT TRACK...THEN A TORNADO WARNING
WILL BE REQUIRED FOR NORTHWEST BUCHANAN COUNTY AS IT ENTERS THE
COUNTY NORTH OF JESUP TO WEST OF FAIRFAX AROUND 615 PM TO 630 PM.
THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
PERSONS IN BUCHANAN COUNTY ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONTINUE TO
MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS... AND
BE READY TO SEEK SHELTER.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN IOWA AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI.

Special weather statement, May 25, 4:38 PM CST, 12 minutes before

IAZ040-252330-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...CORRECTED TIME
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL
538 PM CDT SUN MAY 25 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE QUAD CITIES HAS ISSUED A SPECIAL
WEATHER STATEMENT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 630 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES...

IN IOWA
     BUCHANAN

INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
     AURORA...HAZLETON...INDEPENDENCE...JESUP...QUASQUETON...
     LITTLETON AND WINTHROP

AT 530 PM CDT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A
TORNADIC THUNDERSTORM 20 MILES WEST OF JESUP...OR ABOUT 8 MILES
NORTHWEST OF WATERLOO...MOVING EAST AT 36 MPH. THIS STORM IS
PRODUCING TORNADOES AND EXTREMELY LARGE HAIL OF BASEBALL TO SOFTBALL
SIZE TO THE NORTHWEST OF WATERLOO...NEAR CEDAR FALLS. IF THE STORM
MAINTAINS ITS INTENSITY AND CURRENT TRACK...THEN A TORNADO WARNING
WILL BE REQUIRED FOR NORTHWEST BUCHANAN COUNTY AS IT ENTERS THE
COUNTY NORTH OF JESUP TO WEST OF FAIRFAX AROUND 615 PM TO 630 PM.
THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION.
PERSONS IN BUCHANAN COUNTY ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONTINUE TO
MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS... AND
BE READY TO SEEK SHELTER.

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT SUNDAY EVENING
FOR EASTERN IOWA AND NORTHEAST MISSOURI.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 thunderstorm wind, 11 hail, 8 flash flood, 7 tornado. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Buchanan

When: May 25, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 1.16 mi WNW of Fairbank
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 42.638, -92.070

Nickel-sized hail fell just west of Fairbank, IA around 5:50 pm.

Tornado, Buchanan

When: May 25, 5:05 PM CST to 5:50 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 2.46 mi SE of Fairbank to 1.93 mi SE of Lamont
Rating: EF3
Path length: 20.92 mi
Path width: 1,232 yd
Continued into: Delaware, Ia (DVN)
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.603, -92.018

A tornado developed just east of the county lines southwest of Fairbank and moved east. The tornado cross the southern part of Hazelton and continued east into Delaware County. Over ten homes, about 50 non-anchored mobile homes at a dealership, and numerous outbuildings were destroyed. Several other homes sustained structural damage. Numerous trees and utility poles were also blown down. An SUV was flipped over in Hazelton injuring the driver and some passengers.

Tornado, Buchanan

When: May 25, 5:40 PM CST to 5:45 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 5.07 mi SSW of Lamont to 5 mi SSE of Lamont
Rating: EF1
Path length: 3.45 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.530, -91.660

A brief tornado enhanced by the rear-flank downdraft (RFD) winds moved east about 3.5 miles and lifted. Location and time estimated. Some outbuildings and trees along the path were damaged.

Hail, Buchanan

When: May 25, 5:47 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 1.53 mi W of Lamont
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.600, -91.660

Golf ball-sized hail fell just west of Lamont, IA around 6:47 pm.

Tornado, Delaware

When: May 25, 5:50 PM CST to 6:10 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2.98 mi W of Dundee to 2.41 mi WSW of Greeley
Rating: EF1
Path length: 11.07 mi
Path width: 880 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.577, -91.609

Tornado moved from Buchanan County into Delaware County. It was on the ground for about 11 miles before it lifted near Oneida. Some farmsteads, trees, and power lines were damaged.

Hail, Delaware

When: May 25, 5:55 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, Dundee
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.580, -91.550

Nickel to quarter-sized hail fell in Dundee at 655 pm.

Tornado, Delaware

When: May 25, 6:31 PM CST to 6:40 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2.73 mi WSW of Petersburg to 4.63 mi ESE of Petersburg
Rating: EF1
Path length: 6.95 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Continued into: Dubuque, Ia (DVN)
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.536, -91.270

A tornado touched down southwest of Petersburg and moved east for approximately 7 miles to the Delaware-Dubuque county line. Along its path, trees, power poles, and numerous farm outbuildings were damaged. It continued to track into Dubuque County.

Hail, Buchanan

When: May 25, 6:37 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 0.51 mi W of Hazleton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.620, -91.910

Penny-sized hail fell in Hazleton, IA around 7:37 pm.

Tornado, Dubuque

When: May 25, 6:40 PM CST to 6:43 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 1.74 mi SSW of New Vienna to 2.32 mi N of Dyersville
Rating: EF1
Path length: 1.53 mi
Path width: 250 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 42.527, -91.135

Tornado moved from Delaware County into Dubuque County. The tornado moved southeast across New Wine Park, damaging over 1,000 trees. It also damaged a barn and hay shelter before lifting near the intersection of Highway 136 and Floyd Road.

Hail, Dubuque

When: May 25, 6:48 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 2.07 mi N of Dyersville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.510, -91.120

Quarter-sized hail fell just north of Dyersville, IA around 7:48 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dubuque

When: May 25, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, Peosta
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.450, -90.850

Winds estimated to be 65 mph caused some tree damage in Peosta, IA around 8:15 pm. This report was relayed by KWWL TV.

Hail, Dubuque

When: May 25, 7:18 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 1.47 mi SSE of Asbury
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.500, -90.740

Penny-sized hail fell just west of Dubuque, IA around 8:18 pm.

Hail, Delaware

When: May 25, 7:31 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 2.76 mi S of Twin Bridges Park
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.590, -91.280

Golf ball-sized hail fell just east of Greeley, IA around 8:31 pm.

Hail, Dubuque

When: May 25, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, Peosta
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 42.450, -90.850

The public reported hail the size of a nickel in Peosta. This report was relayed by KWWL TV.

Flash Flood, Delaware

When: May 25, 8:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 1 mi NW of Dundee to 1 mi SW of Dundee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.590, -91.564

Heavy rains of 3 to 8 inches has resulted in water covering some roads in the vicinity of Dundee, IA.

Flash Flood, Delaware

When: May 25, 8:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 0.62 mi SW of Edgewood to 0.69 mi SSW of Edgewood
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.644, -91.409

Heavy rains of 3 to 8 inches has resulted in water covering some roads in the vicinity of Edgewood, IA.

Flash Flood, Buchanan

When: May 25, 8:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 2 mi NW of Aurora to 2 mi SW of Aurora
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.641, -91.758

Heavy rains of 3 to 8 inches caused flash flooding in the vicinity of Aurora, IA during the late evening hours of May 25th.

Flash Flood, Buchanan

When: May 25, 8:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 3 mi WNW of Lamont to 1.82 mi WSW of Lamont
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.617, -91.684

Heavy rains of 4 to 8 inches caused flash flooding in the vicinity of Lamont, IA during the late evening hours of May 25th. The fast moving water washed out a bridge in town. The flood waters damaged 240 of the town's 280 homes.

Flash Flood, Delaware

When: May 25, 8:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 3.02 mi WNW of Backbone State Park to 2.61 mi WNW of Dundee
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.644, -91.600

Heavy rains of 3 to 7 inches caused flash flooding in the vicinity of Backbone State Park, IA during the late evening hours of May 25th and early morning of May 26th. The flash flooding overwhelmed the four miles of roads and bridges throughout the park leaving holes three feet deep. Several trees fell due to the saturated soil conditions.

Thunderstorm Wind, Dubuque

When: May 25, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 2.15 mi ESE of Key West
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.440, -90.640

Wind gusts estimated to be 60 mph were reported about 5 miles south southeast of Dubuque, IA at 9:30 pm. Pea-sized hail was also observed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: May 25, 8:40 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 0.86 mi NE of Manchester Arpt
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.510, -91.490

Winds estimated to be 60 to 70 mph snapped a 2 inch diameter tree off about 2 inches above the ground and bent a flag pole about 3 miles northwest of Manchester, IA.

Flash Flood, Delaware

When: May 25, 8:55 PM CST
Where: Delaware County, 1.48 mi NNE of Manchester Arpt to 3 mi SW of Manchester
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.520, -91.490

Heavy rains of 2 to 6 inches has resulted in water covering some roads in the vicinity of Manchester, IA. Highway 13 had to be closed due to the flood waters.

Flash Flood, Dubuque

When: May 25, 9:00 PM CST to May 26, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Dubuque County, 0.94 mi SW of Dyersville to 0.82 mi SSW of New Vienna
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.471, -91.134

Heavy rains of 3 to 8 inches caused flash flooding of western parts of Dyersville, IA during the late evening of May 25th and early morning of May 26th. The North Fork Maquoketa River and Bear Creek were particularly affected with flooding. Some streets in town had to be closed due to the flood waters as well as Floyd Road and 180th Street in rural areas.

Hail, Dubuque

When: May 25, 9:01 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, Dyersville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 42.480, -91.120

Quarter-sized hail fell in Dyersville, IA shortly after 10:01 pm on May 25th according to the Dyersville emergency management director.

Hail, Benton

When: May 25, 9:11 PM CST
Where: Benton County, 7.3 mi W of Garrison
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 42.170, -92.290

Quarter-sized hail fell just east of Dysart, IA around 10:11 pm.

Tornado, Iowa

When: May 25, 10:06 PM CST to 10:19 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 2.76 mi S of Victor to 1.55 mi W of Genoa Bluff
Rating: EF1
Path length: 6.23 mi
Path width: 440 yd
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.690, -92.300

A tornado moved east just south of I 80 from mile marker 205 south of Victor, IA to mile marker 211 south of Ladora, IA. Several gin bins and other farm outbuildings were either damaged or destroyed. Some utility poles and trees along the path were blown down and at least one home sustained roof damage. One tree fell onto a mobile home destroying it.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 25, 10:10 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 1.47 mi NNW of Marion
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.050, -91.610

Winds estimated to be 70 mph blew down several large trees on the northwest side of Marion, IA resulting in scattered power outages around 11:10 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: May 25, 10:15 PM CST
Where: Iowa County, 2 mi SW of Millersburg
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Newspaper
Coordinates: 41.550, -92.197

Winds estimated to be 65 mph destroyed a machine shed a couple of miles southwest of Millersburg, IA around 11:15 pm on May 25th. According to emergency management officials, a man was injured and taken to a hospital after being hit by a tree limb.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 25, 10:20 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2.36 mi SSW of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.971, -91.673

Winds estimated to be 60 mph blew down several 6 inch diameter branches in the vicinity of I 380 and 6th Avenue in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 25, 10:24 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 2.31 mi SSW of Cedar Rapids
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.970, -91.670

Wind gusts estimated to be 65 mph were observed in Cedar Rapids, IA around 11:24 pm.

Flash Flood, Buchanan

When: May 25, 10:25 PM CST to May 26, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 1.95 mi NE of Hazleton to 1.35 mi ESE of Hazleton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.643, -91.877

Heavy rains of 3 to 8 inches resulted in some flooded country roads and significant flooding of agricultural fields in the vicinity of Stanley, IA.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: May 25, 10:30 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 0.51 mi E of Martelle
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 42.020, -91.360

Winds estimated to be 65 mph destroyed a grain bin blowing it 150 to 250 yards into a farm field near Martel, IA around 11:30 pm.

Hail, Clinton

When: May 25, 10:32 PM CST
Where: Clinton County, 0.86 mi SE of Charlotte
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.960, -90.470

Penny-sized hail fell in Charlotte, IA around 11:32 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 25, 10:32 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.87 mi NE of Fairfield
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.010, -91.970

Winds estimated to be 60 mph blew down some branches in Fairfield, IA. The visibility was near zero due to the heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jones

When: May 25, 10:35 PM CST
Where: Jones County, 0.69 mi S of Anamosa
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.110, -91.280

Wind gusts were estimated to be 65 mph in Anamosa, IA around 11:35 pm.

Tornado, Johnson

When: May 25, 10:38 PM CST to 10:39 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 2.74 mi N of North Liberty to 2.82 mi NNE of North Liberty
Rating: EF0
Path length: 0.11 mi
Path width: 100 yd
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.789, -91.610

A brief tornado spun up where two intersecting boundaries enhanced a strengthening updraft. A house incurred minor damage to the gutters and siding, and lost some shingles off the roof. The garage door was also blown in. Several trees were uprooted and a few were snapped off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 25, 10:39 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 0.35 mi NW of (Cid)cedar Rapids Ar
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 41.884, -91.725

A wind gust of 58 mph was measured at the automated observing system at the Cedar Rapids Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: May 25, 10:41 PM CST
Where: Linn County, 1.42 mi WSW of Marion
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 42.026, -91.627

Winds estimated to be 60 mph blew down some branches near Lindale Mall in Marion, IA. There was also a power outage in the vicinity of the mall.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 25, 10:41 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 1.03 mi W of Lake Macbride Sp
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.800, -91.570

Winds estimated to be 65 mph blew 48 boats, which were tied to a boat dock, about 3 miles from their original location at Lake MacBride State Park around 11:41 pm. Damage was sustained to the boat rental docks and rental boats.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 25, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 0.66 mi NW of Oakdale
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 41.705, -91.631

Winds estimated to be 70 mph uprooted a 20 inch diameter tree and overturned a shed and camper at Western Hills Estates Mobile Home Park around 11:45 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 25, 10:46 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 0.95 mi SSW of Solon
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.788, -91.508

Winds estimated to be 60 mph lifted a front porch awning up and over a house along Quincy Rd NE just southwest of Solon, IA around 11:46 pm. The house also sustained damage to the roof including missing shingles and nearby trees were also damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: May 25, 10:47 PM CST
Where: Johnson County, 0.97 mi S of Solon
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates: 41.786, -91.499

Winds estimated to be 60 mph broke the grain transport equipment off the top of some grain bins located along Jordan Creek Rd NE just south of Solon, IA around 11:47 pm.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: May 25, 11:05 PM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Fruitland
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Amateur Radio
Coordinates: 41.350, -91.130

A wind gust was measured to be 60 mph near Fruitland, IA around 12:05 am.

Thunderstorm Wind, Louisa

When: May 25, 11:10 PM CST
Where: Louisa County, 1.76 mi ESE of Morning Sun
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.087, -91.241

Winds estimated to be 65 mph destroyed a barn just east of Morning Sun, IA around 12:10 am. Some new corn was also blown over.

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: May 25, 11:17 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.62 mi S of Yarmouth
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 40.997, -91.324

Winds estimated to be 65 mph blew down a telephone utility pole onto 205th Avenue south of County Highway H38 south of Yarmouth, IA partially blocking the road.

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: May 25, 11:19 PM CST
Where: Des Moines County, 1.48 mi SSE of Lenox Park
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 40.810, -91.120

A wind gust was estimated to be 58 mph in Burlington, IA around 12:19 am.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Iowa, 2008 Warnings in Iowa, May 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 102167, 106044, 106049, 102168, 106053, 102169, 106064, 102170, 106077, 102171, 106742, 102172, 102173, 102174, 106241, 106258, 106757, 106762, 106770, 106262, 106269, 106282, 106780, 106782, 102175, 106091, 106287, 106822, 106292, 106293, 106303, 106311, 102176, 106321, 106324, 106105, 106365, 106375, 106377, 106382, and more.