Three Tornadoes Confirmed in Lee County, Iowa

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The National Weather Service Quad Cities has confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in Lee County, Iowa on Tuesday evening. Two of the tornadoes were near the town of Donnellson, while the third was near Wever. All three tornadoes were rated EF1, with wind speeds ranging from 90 to 100 miles per hour. In addition to the tornadoes, the storms brought heavy rain and pea-sized hail to the area. Residents in Fort Madison also received a hazardous materials alert, which was later determined to have been triggered accidentally through the warning system.

Why it matters

Tornado activity in the Midwest can cause significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and can threaten public safety. This incident highlights the importance of accurate weather monitoring and effective emergency alert systems to keep communities informed and prepared for severe weather events.

The details

According to the National Weather Service Quad Cities, three tornadoes touched down in Lee County, Iowa on Tuesday evening. Two of the tornadoes were near the town of Donnellson, while the third was near the town of Wever. All three tornadoes were rated EF1, with one having estimated wind speeds of about 90 miles per hour and the other two reaching around 100 miles per hour. In addition to the tornado activity, the storms also brought heavy rain and reports of pea-sized hail to the area. Residents in Fort Madison received a hazardous materials alert in addition to the tornado warning, but Chad Hannum, a local official, stated that the alert was triggered accidentally through the warning system.

• The tornadoes touched down in Lee County, Iowa on Tuesday evening, March 12, 2026.