Buena Vista County Emergency Management Agency

06/10/2026

Be weather aware overnight! Have multiple ways to get weather alerts at night-phone apps, weather radio, BV Alerts!

**THIS POST CONTAINS OUTDATED INFORMATION**

🏆Best idea of the day?

Be weather aware and plan ahead for potential severe storms tonight!

Much of the area will experience a significant severe weather risk tonight (level 2 or 3 out of 5), especially damaging winds! Be sure you have multiple ways to get warnings at night!

06/08/2026

We are in a major heat risk for tomorrow (6/9/26).

Significant heat and humidity will briefly build into the area early this week. Temperatures peak on Tuesday with highs in the 90s to near 100, easing a bit on Wednesday before a more pronounced cooldown later this week. Parts of the area will be in a Major Heat Risk Tuesday, which means heat-related illness is possible for those without effective cooling or hydration. If you will be working or enjoying the outdoors Monday through Wednesday, please be sure to drink plenty of water, and take periodic breaks in the shade or air conditioning!

05/18/2026

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
548 PM CDT Mon May 18 2026

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.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

05/18/2026

After last night's severe weather, and with the potential for more later today, it is a good idea to review some basic safety information.
📢 Sirens are intended for outdoor warning. You cannot rely on hearing them when indoors. When severe weather happens, cell towers can go down, TV and radio stations can have issues as well. For this reason, we recommend having multiple ways to obtain weather information, including:
✅A NOAA weather radio with battery backup
✅Keeping aware of weather by listening to local radio stations
✅Keeping aware by watching local market TV stations
✅Finding a weather alert app that you like and download it.
✅Signing up for text and email alerts through BV Alerts at:
https://entry.inspironlogistics.com/buena_vista_ia/wens.cfm

📢 Understanding the siren policy is key. The sirens in Buena Vista County will be activated for any of the following conditions:
🌪️When the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls issues a tornado warning. All communities that are in the warning polygon will have their sirens activated.
🌩️ When the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls issues a severe thunderstorm warning indicating that we can expect winds of 80 mph or greater, the sirens are activated. High winds can do as much damage as a tornado.
🚨 When a public safety agency requests that sirens be activated based upon their observations while weather spotting. 🚒🚓🚑

Have a plan for where you will go during severe weather. When weather happens, you don't always have a lot of time. Having a severe weather safety plan could save your life.

Sign up here for Buena Vista County Alerts! In the event of an emergency or severe weather condition, an alert will be sent to the phone number and/or email address provided by voice, text and/or email. This is a free service provided by Buena Vista County, however, normal message fees may apply. To...

05/18/2026

** Rembrandt siren update**
The siren cannot be repaired. Until a new siren can be installed, when a tornado warning or a severe thunderstorm with winds over 80 mph is issued for Rembrandt, the Fire Department will drive the streets to alert residents. The fire trucks will have lights and sirens to warn residents to take cover. 🚨🚒
During this time, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you have multiple sources to obtain weather information. This includes:
✅A NOAA weather radio with battery backup
✅Local radio stations
✅Local TV stations
✅Various weather apps on your phone
✅Sign up for BV Alerts at:

Sign up here for Buena Vista County Alerts! In the event of an emergency or severe weather condition, an alert will be sent to the phone number and/or email address provided by voice, text and/or email. This is a free service provided by Buena Vista County, however, normal message fees may apply. To...

05/18/2026

**Notice for Rembrandt residents **
The siren is being repaired today, 5/18/26. They will have to test the siren before noon to ensure it is working. We are not anticipating severe weather before noon today. 

05/18/2026

Be weather aware again today-5/18/26

**THIS POST CONTAINS OUTDATED INFORMATION.**

Showers and isolated storms return to the region later today and tonight. A few storms along and southeast of a Wayne to Sheldon to Windom line may be strong to severe. However, confidence is low due to morning clouds and uncertainty in how much the atmosphere recovers. Ping pong ball sized hail and 60 mph wind gusts are the main threats, although a tornado cannot be ruled out. Thunderstorms may produce heavy rain, with isolated flash flooding possible.

05/18/2026

If you live in Buena Vista County and had damages from the storms tonight (5/17/26), you can report them at this link:
https://report-ia-state.orioncentral.com/?m=2C161E21-1E57-4D2C-A9DA-C80491F01A48
This is a damage self reporting tool only.

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

05/18/2026

***sirens have been activated in BV Co due to thunderstorm winds expected in excess of 80mph. Winds of these speeds can cause significant damages. Now is the time to go to your place of safety. . 5/17/26 @ 8:29pm

05/17/2026

Sunday, May 17-Buena Vista County is in a tornado watch until 10pm.
Stay weather aware and have multiple ways to get weather information!