Cherokee County, IA Emergency Management Agency

06/01/2026

Urgent Cherokee Co Alert:

SVRFSD

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southwestern Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Northern Woodbury County in west central Iowa...
Southeastern Plymouth County in northwestern Iowa...

* Until 1230 AM CDT.

* At 1144 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Lawton, or 9
miles east of Sioux City, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Moville and Lawton around 1150 PM CDT.
Kingsley around 1155 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include
Pierson.
Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office in Sioux Falls.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

05/22/2026

Cherokee County’s request to be added to the Governor’s disaster proclamation has been approved.

Details for disaster assistance can be found at

https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/disasters/individual-disaster-assistance-programs

05/21/2026

Damage assessments have been ongoing since Monday. There is a lot of damage to trees and farm buildings.

Unfortunately, damage to primary homes and personal property (vehicles) is the only reportable damage we can use for a Governors proclamation.

Now that some of the tree damage has been cleared, we are getting a better picture of house damage. We have asked to be included in the disaster declaration and expect a response sometime tomorrow.

State individual assistance will become available if our request is approved.

Homeowners insurance is the first and best option.
State assistance is meant to help fill in any gaps.

To qualify for IA you must make less than 200% of the Federal Poverty level. However, Disaster Case Advocacy has no income restrictions. DCA is available to help you make a recovery plan and identify potential resources you may need.

More information to come as it comes available!

05/18/2026

Urgent Cherokee Co Alert:

SVRFSD

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northeastern Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Northwestern Buena Vista County in northwestern Iowa...
Southern Clay County in northwestern Iowa...
Southeastern O'Brien County in northwestern Iowa...

* Until 630 PM CDT.

* At 548 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Quimby, or
near Cherokee, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect
wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Cherokee, Aurelia, and Larrabee around 555 PM CDT.
Peterson around 605 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include
Sutherland, Linn Grove and Royal.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

05/18/2026

Urgent Cherokee Co Alert:

SVRFSD

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southern Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Woodbury County in west central Iowa...
Southeastern Plymouth County in northwestern Iowa...
Northwestern Ida County in west central Iowa...

* Until 600 PM CDT.

* At 511 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hornick, or
26 miles southeast of Sioux City, moving northeast at 65 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...
Hornick and Smithland around 515 PM CDT.
Anthon around 520 PM CDT.
Correctionville and Pierson around 530 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this severe thunderstorm include
Kingsley, Washta and Quimby.
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

05/18/2026

If you had damage as a result of the storms on Sunday evening, please click the link and self report those damages!

Step 4: Document Upload Upload photos or supporting documents for your disaster assistance application. Supporting Documents File Document Type Description (optional)

05/18/2026

I owe an apology to everyone. Part of my job is to help with storm spotting and I got stuck right in the middle of the line that came from Kingsley!

I apologize that I wasn’t available to post updates like normal. It was such a fast moving storm and I didn’t want to sit in one spot very long.

Other than some very minor damage to the truck, I am out surveying damages tonight.

05/18/2026

Urgent Cherokee Co Alert:

TORFSD

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...
Northeastern Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Northwestern Buena Vista County in northwestern Iowa...
Southwestern Clay County in northwestern Iowa...
Southeastern O'Brien County in northwestern Iowa...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 826 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms capable of producing both
tornadoes and extensive straight line wind damage were located near
Cleghorn, or 7 miles northwest of Cherokee, moving northeast at 40
mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.

* These dangerous storms will be near...
Sutherland and Larrabee around 830 PM CDT.
Peterson around 840 PM CDT.
Linn Grove around 845 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this tornadic thunderstorm include
Sioux Rapids.
TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest
floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a
mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter
and protect yourself from flying debris.

05/18/2026

Urgent Cherokee Co Alert:

SVRFSD

The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Cherokee County in northwestern Iowa...
Northeastern Woodbury County in west central Iowa...
Southeastern Osceola County in northwestern Iowa...
Dickinson County in northwestern Iowa...
Southeastern Plymouth County in northwestern Iowa...
Buena Vista County in northwestern Iowa...
Clay County in northwestern Iowa...
O'Brien County in northwestern Iowa...
Ida County in west central Iowa...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 819 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Paullina to near Aurelia to near Galva, moving
northeast at 65 mph.

THESE ARE DESTRUCTIVE STORMS FOR QUIMBY, CHEROKEE, WASHTA, AND
AURELIA.

HAZARD...80 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Mesonet. At 754 PM CDT, a 74 mph gust was reported via
personal weather station west of Correctionville, IA.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be heavily damaged. Expect
considerable damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles.
Extensive tree damage and power outages are likely.

* Severe thunderstorms will be near...
Storm Lake, Alta, Paullina, Primghar, Sutherland, and Peterson
around 825 PM CDT.
Lakeside, Linn Grove, and Truesdale around 830 PM CDT.
Hartley, Sioux Rapids, and Royal around 835 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of these severe thunderstorms include
Spencer In Clay County, Albert City, Everly, Marathon, Webb,
Greenville, Fostoria, Milford, Lost Island Lake, Arnolds Park, Terril
and West Okoboji.
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION with tornado like wind
speeds expected. Mobile homes and high profile vehicles are
especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be
overturned. For your protection move to an interior room on the
lowest floor of a building. These storms have the potential to cause
serious injury and significant property damage.