Slow-moving, pop-up severe thunderstorms went on for several hours Wednesday evening across the Raccoon River Valley area, and then came back later in the night.

Raccoon Valley Radio’s Severe Weather Action Team broke into regular programming to provide live severe weather updates when the National Weather Service issued the first thunderstorm warning just before 4:30 p.m. for northwestern Greene County. Between 4:30 and 8:45 p.m., there were eight severe thunderstorm warnings issued for portions in Greene, Dallas and Guthrie counties. The last warning of the first set of storms was issued by the National Weather Service at 8:05 p.m. At 9:52 p.m., thunderstorms reached severe levels once again, as a warning was issued for southeastern Dallas and southwestern Polk counties, followed by a warning for southwestern Guthrie, northern Adair, northeastern Cass, and southern Audubon counties. The later round of severe thunderstorms finally came to an end by 10:30 p.m.

Weather hazards included: heavy rainfall, pea to quarter-sized hail, 50 to 70-miles-per-hour winds, lightning, and periods of flash flooding. Due to the heavy rainfall, flash flooding occurred on portions of Highway 141 near Perry. While no significant damage was reported in any of our primary coverage areas, it was reported that the Jefferson Fire Department responded to a call of a house that had its circuit breaker tripped when it was struck by lightning. Chief Jack Williams told Raccoon Valley Radio everything was fine and nothing caught on fire. Dallas County Sheriff Chad Leonard reported a down powerline in Dexter and there were multiple small tree limbs that had broken off and were in the roadway on Highway 141.

Over 30 people in Greene County were without power, along with seven people near Perry. Power was restored before the end of the night. Ten Raccoon Valley Radio staff worked through each severe weather threat. We were also in contact with Weather Eye Meteorologists and local law enforcement and fire personnel. Whenever severe weather threatens our listening area, count on the Raccoon Valley Radio Severe Weather Action Team to keep you informed and safe.