Calhoun County IA Emergency Management Agency

05/30/2026

Due to rain showers in the area and slight chance of storms we will NOT be testing sirens at 12:00pm today. Thank you for your understanding!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selfless service will never be forgotten.

As we gather with family and friends this holiday weekend, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day and honor those who gave their lives in defense of our freedoms.

We also wish everyone a safe holiday weekend. If you are traveling, attending events, or spending time outdoors, please stay weather aware, drive safely, and look out for one another.

From all of us at Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency — thank you to our fallen heroes and the families who continue to carry their legacy.

05/20/2026

It is official. Calhoun County had 2 confirmed EF-1 tornadoes. 1 for the Knoke area and 1 in Rockwell City. Thank you all who submitted damage reports, photos, and testimony. This helped piece together the storms path.

05/18/2026

Some updated graphics show that some of the severe weather threat has shifted south from Calhoun! Be weather alert tonight!

05/18/2026

ATTENTION TWIN LAKES AND MANSON RESIDENTS.

I will be testing your sirens at 1:00pm. This is only a test.

05/18/2026

Storm Update 4 3:45pm:
I have completed most damage assessments and have sent them off to the NWS. All power outages should be resolved also. Some storm sirens were tested today and I believe we have resolved the issues. Thank you for your continued support throughout the night and day!

Storm Update 3 11:00am:

For those in Rockwell City most should have power restored with the remaining estimated before 12:00pm. For rural Calhoun County and other smaller communities Mid American Energy is estimating around 3:00pm. If you come upon a downed line do not approach it, always assume it is live.

Storm Update 2 9:30am:

For the citizens in Manson your sirens are being activated as a test and troubleshooting. You may hear them throughout the morning. Thank you!

Storm Update 1 7:00am:

Good morning Calhoun County Residents. Last nights storm produced straight line winds and possibly 1 tornado. I will be out surveying damange. If you have some please post them below or use https://report-ia-state.orioncentral.com/?m=63B2B058-501E-441D-A21B-00D7FE8A79A2 - I also would like to address the siren issues. During the weekly Saturday test all sirens showed they tested correctly however during the storm some failed to activate. Some of your communities had several activations. I chose to sound every siren in Calhoun during the peak of the storm due to the reports of rotation, wind damages, and other factors. Safety is our highest priority and will continue to be. I will be testing sirens throughout the county today to try and fix the issue. Thank you for your feedback and continued support during these times.
Richard Hall, Coordinator

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05/18/2026

Another round of severe weather is expected tonight. Timing is this evening into the overnight hours.

05/18/2026

Storm sirens are being activated in Calhoun County for DESTRUCTIVE severe thunderstorm warning, and now TORNADO WARNING SEAK SHELTER NOW

05/18/2026

Calhoun Co Alerts Alert:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM CDT MONDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN IOWA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 35 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL IOWA

BOONE DALLAS GRUNDY
HAMILTON HARDIN JASPER
MARSHALL POLK POWESHIEK
STORY TAMA WEBSTER

IN NORTHEAST IOWA

BLACK HAWK

IN SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA

CLARKE DECATUR LUCAS
MADISON MAHASKA MARION
MONROE RINGGOLD UNION
WARREN WAYNE

IN SOUTHWEST IOWA

ADAIR ADAMS CASS
TAYLOR

IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA

AUDUBON CALHOUN CARROLL
CRAWFORD GREENE GUTHRIE
SAC

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ACKLEY, ADAIR, ADEL, ALBIA, ALLERTON,
AMES, ATLANTIC, AUDUBON, BAYARD, BEDFORD, BOONE, CARLISLE,
CARROLL, CASEY, CEDAR FALLS, CHARITON, CONRAD, CORNING, CORYDON,
CRESTON, DENISON, DES MOINES, D**E, DYSART, EARLHAM, EARLY,
ELDORA, EXIRA, FONTANELLE, FORT DODGE, GLADBROOK, GREENFIELD,
GRINNELL, GRUNDY CENTER, GUTHRIE CENTER, HUMESTON, INDIANOLA,
IOWA FALLS, JEFFERSON, KNOXVILLE, LAKE CITY, LAKE VIEW, LAMONI,
LENOX, LEON, MANSON, MARSHALLTOWN, MOUNT AYR, NEW MARKET, NEWTON,
NORWALK, ODEBOLT, OSCEOLA, OSKALOOSA, PANORA, PELLA, PERRY,
POMEROY, REINBECK, ROCKWELL CITY, SAC CITY, SCHALLER, SEYMOUR,
STUART, TAMA, TOLEDO, TRAER, WALL LAKE, WATERLOO, WAUKEE,
WEBSTER CITY, WELLSBURG, AND WINTERSET.

* PRIMARY THREATS INCLUDE...

A COUPLE TORNADOES POSSIBLE.
SCATTERED DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED SIGNIFICANT GUSTS TO 80
MPH LIKELY.
ISOLATED LARGE HAIL EVENTS TO 1.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER POSSIBLE.

PROBABILITY TABLE:
PROB OF 2 OR MORE TORNADOES : 40%
PROB OF 1 OR MORE STRONG /EF2-EF5/ TORNADOES : 20%
PROB OF 10 OR MORE SEVERE WIND EVENTS : 70%
PROB OF 1 OR MORE WIND EVENTS >= 75 MPH : 60%
PROB OF 10 OR MORE SEVERE HAIL EVENTS : 30%
PROB OF 1 OR MORE HAIL EVENTS >= 2 INCHES : 20%
PROB OF 6 OR MORE COMBINED SEVERE HAIL/WIND EVENTS : 90%
MEAN STORM MOTION /MPH/ : NE 45

05/17/2026

4:00pm update.
Updated graphics and timing from the NWS Des Moines.