Damaging winds, strong tornadoes, and very large hail are all being forecast by the National Weather Service for this afternoon into evening.

“Everyone needs to be weather aware,” said Webster County Emergency Manager Dylan Hagen. “Take advantage of the advance notice and discuss your severe weather plan, whether you’re at home, work, outdoors, etc.”

According to the National Weather Service in Des Moines, storms are expected to develop in the afternoon and continue late into the night. Fort Dodge and the surrounding area are all listed as moderate risk for 60 to 70 mile per hour winds, quarter- to baseball-sized hail, and a 10% to 15% chance of strong tornadoes, as of press time.

Hagen reminded residents to pay attention to the outdoor warning sirens, which will activate for tornado warnings as well as severe weather with golf-ball sized hail or larger and winds in excess of 70 miles per hour. These warning activations are a three-minute steady alert tone.

“Iowa Emergency Management Association stresses that 70 mile-per-hour winds, or greater, and golf-ball size hail (1.75 inch) or greater can be harmful and life threatening to the public,” said Hagen. “Seventy mile per hour winds can topple large, healthy trees, which can fall onto homes, vehicles, or other buildings. This can also affect structures such as mobile homes. Hail the size of golf balls will begin breaking windows and can cause bodily injury.”

Sirens only within the warning area will be activated. Sirens will also be reactivated for any additional warning in the same area.

Hagen emphasized that the outdoor warning sirens are meant for outdoor warning, meaning if a resident is outdoors and hears the sirens, they should move indoors to a safe location. There is not an all clear siren.

Webster County Emergency Management will be posting updates to their Facebook page throughout the day.