Golf ball-sized hail and heavy rain fell throughout the Des Moines metro late Friday afternoon, causing metro residents and attendees of the Iowa State Fair to seek shelter indoors.
The severe thunderstorm was making its way through the area headed east, National Weather Service meteorologist Alexis Jimenez said. More thunderstorms are expected on and off through the night, Jimenez said.
Afternoon damage reports from the weather service showed broken windshields and car damage due to the large hail. Residents have posted multiple photos on Twitter of the golf-ball sized hail, some of it measuring nearly three inches in diameter.
National Weather service issues thunderstorm, flash flood warnings
NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Des Moines, West Des Moines and Ankeny Friday afternoon until 3:15 p.m., warning that the storm was likely to include hail. The NWS later extended the warning for Des Moines, Altoona and Pleasant Hill until 5:15 pm NWS issued a flash flood warning for the areas of Polk County, including Des Moines, West Des Moines and Urbandale, until 8 pm
Road closures, downed wires in Des Moines
Des Moines Police Department Spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said there was damage throughout the city, causing significant road closures and obstacles such as downed wires.
Heavy rainfall also caused minor puddling throughout the city, Jimenez said. She recommended drivers avoid those puddles.
Power outages: Track power outages as severe weather hits Des Moines
The NWS was also expecting to see funnel clouds, which look like swirling clouds in the air, throughout the night, Jimenez said. Although it is unlikely, funnel clouds can turn into tornados, Jimenez said. Jimenez asked that residents reach out to the NWS if they see such clouds so they can be monitored.
To stay safe from the storm, Jimenez recommends residents seek shelter inside and continue to monitor weather patterns.
Iowa State fairgoers seek shelter
Fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair, including former Vice President Mike Pence and current US Sen. Chuck Grassley, were instructed by the Fair’s groundswide public announcement system to seek shelter amid the storm.
No damage had been reported at the fair, said fair spokesperson Mindy Williamson. All rides and the Sky Glider, however, had been shut down due to the storm Friday afternoon, Williamson said.
Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @francescablock3.