Storm Lake, IA (northwestiowanow.com) — Straight line winds blamed for Storm Lake storm damage during the early morning hours. The high winds assoicated with the severe warned system reportedly was 70+ MPH according to the NWS in Sioux Falls.

The National Weather Service issued the Severe Thunderstorm Warning at 12:59am on the 19th. The hazard was mainly golf ball sized hail. The system was moving northeast at 40 MPH. At around 1:28am the system was out of the Storm Lake location and BV county.

The National Weather Service did not issue a Tornado Warning; therefore, the outdoor automatic tornado siren system was not triggered. NWS has officially confirmed it was not a tornado that caused the damage.

As a reminder, take straight-line wind and severe thunderstorm warnings seriously. Wind gusts exceeding 70+ mph can do just as much damage as a weak tornado. Although the term ‘straight-line wind’ may not sound as alarming as ‘tornado,’ the resulting destruction is nonetheless substantial.