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Storms Prompt Tornado Warnings, But No Touchdowns Reported Locally

April 16, 2024 Steve Schwaller

(Spirit Lake)– Severe thunderstorms and the threat for possible tornadoes late this (Tues.) afternoon prompted the issuance of numerous tornado warnings in northwest Iowa, including one for Dickinson county and northwestern Clay county. That particular warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls around 4:00 pm. It expired at 4:30. Dickinson County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Ehret tells KUOO news there were no confirmed reports of any tornado touchdowns…

“No, nothing that’s been reported in, no reports of funnel clouds. Somebody thought they may have seen some rotation around Spirit Lake earlier but no reports of funnel clouds or tornadoes or anything like that. Just multiple hail reports, especially around the Milford area and so forth.”

Ehret says per protocol, the sirens did sound in those areas of Dickinson county that were under the warning…

“We did activate the sirens. The warning was basically for the western two thirds of the county, so the warning did not include Superior or Terril so we did not activate those sirens, but all of the others were activated per our policy when a tornado warning is issued.”

The weather was even more dangerous to our southeast. Multiple confirmed tornado touchdowns were reported in Pocahontas county, but as of late this (Tuesday) afternoon there have been no confirmed reports of damage or injuries.

Taken near Dickinson County Nature Center. (Courtesy Dick Rees)

Taken in the southern portion of the city of Spirit Lake (Courtesy Anthony Masad)
Taken south of 28th Street on northeast side of Milford (Courtesy Steve Anderson)
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