Seven fatalities, nearly 70 injuries, and millions of dollars in damage reminds Parkersburg every year on May 25 of the disaster that ripped the town to shreds.

At 3:30PM May 25th, 2008, a particularly dangerous situation (PDS) Tornado Watch was issued for much of Iowa, as the threat for large, extremely dangerous tornadoes was on the rise. 

Shortly after, at 4:22PM, the National Weather Service based out of Des Moines issued a Tornado Warning for portions of Grundy, Hardin, Butler, and Franklin counties. At the time of first warning, no confirmation of a tornado had yet been gained. By 4:46, a follow-up statement was posted, warning that the tornado would be near Parkersburg around 5:00. At 4:48 a large, wedge tornado was reported to the National Weather Service, and by 4:56 the tornado had entered Parkersburg.

The Parkersburg tornado was determined to be an EF5, the strongest tornado possible, with wind speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour.

May 25th, 2008 is surely a day that Parkersburg residents, emergency responders, and weather fanatics will never forget.

Two NOAA Weather Radio programming drives are scheduled in Marshalltown.   NOAA All Hazards Radios will be programmed at the Marshall County Courthouse on Thursday, May 24th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. or at the Hy Vee Drugstore in Marshalltown (Center St) on Friday, May 25th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.   Marshall County citizens weather radios are programmed for free. 

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via the National Weather Service

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH through 10PM.

A weather watch is likely for portions of Iowa as severe weather is expected over the area this afternoon into early evening.

According to the Storm Prediction Center, there is an 80% probability for a watch to be posted.

We'll keep a close eye on this situation, and bring you the very latest.

Stay with WolkenWeather.com.

Severe storms are set to roll back into the state this afternoon and evening, bringing with them the threat of severe weather, especially in portions of eastern Iowa.

According the the latest convective outlook posted by the Storm Prediction Center, a slight risk of severe weather is in place for nearly the entire state...excluding only the western third. However, the biggest concern lies in northeastern Iowa, where a moderate risk of severe storms is posted.

All modes of severe weather are certainly possible at this time, but the biggest threat for the state appears to be from damaging winds.

Bottom line, stay aware of the weather today. 

Stay with WolkenWeather.com for the latest updates on this developing severe weather situation.