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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
From sight alone, it’s nearly impossible to tell how deep floodwaters are, especially at night. It doesn’t take much flood water to wash away people and vehicles. Your best option is to turn around and seek an alternate route! #iawx #SWAW
Flooding is sometimes difficult to see during the day and impossible to see at night. Stay weather aware in the event of floods and know how to get to higher ground safely! Visit weather.gov/safety to learn more.
Do you Really Know How Deep the Water is? 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car. 18-24 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over and carry away an adult.
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
It's the last day of #SWAW 2026. 🎉 We hope that you are feeling better prepared for the upcoming severe weather season! ✅ Over 1/2 of flood-related drownings involve cars driving into hazardous waters. 🚗 🚧 🌊 Turn around, don't drowReady.iowa.govgcZy #ReadtaJ1
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
Today’s #SWAW focus is Flood Safety. 🌧️ 🌊 🛟 Always stay out of floodwater. Floodwater can contain chemicals, sewage, bacteria, debris, and fallen power lines that put you at risk of disease and injuryReady.iowa.gov/floodsF7B #Ready7n8
Flood Safety - SWAW 2026. Always stay out of floodwater. Floodwater can contain dangerous chemicals, sewage, harmful bacteria, sharp debris, animals/insects, and fallen power lines that put you at risk of disease and injury.
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
Elongated periods of heavy rain can create flash flooding, covering roadways and filling up low-lying areas. Will you be ready for flash flooding? #iawx #SWAW
Flash flooding can escalate quickly. Heavy rain can lead to sudden flash floods, whether you’re on the road or at a campground. Will you be ready? Set up a way to get weather warnings on your phone. When alerted to a flash flood, get to higher ground immediately. Never enter floodwaters in a vehicle or on foot. Learn more at weather.gov/safety
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
Today’s #SWAW focus = 🌧️ 🌊 🛟. Floods are one of the most common hazards in the U.S., but not all #floods are alike. There are many misconceptions about when & where floods occur. Know the difference between flood fact & fictionReady.iowa.gov/floodsF7B #ReadyPw5
Flood Safety Myth vs. Fact Myth: Flash floods only happen near rivers or streams. Fact: While flash floods commonly occur near rivers/streams, other areas such as dense, urban zones can be at risk. Myth: You can drive through flood water if it's not too deep. Fact: It only takes 12 inches of water to quickly sweep away your car or cause it to float. Myth: The risk for flooding goes away during the winter. Fact: Floods can actually occur during the winter season due to snowmelt and ice jams.
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
We are rounding out Severe Weather Awareness Week (#SWAW) in #Iowa, and the state is urging Iowans to prepare for natural #disasters before they hit. iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2026-…
Storm damage in Grinnell after a derecho in 2020. A fallen tree lays across the yard of someone's home.
State agencies urge Iowans to prepare for natural disasters before they hit

The Iowa departments that oversee emergency management and insurance are urging people to prepare for natural disasters before they hit during Severe Weather Awareness Week. The statewide initiative...

From iowapublicradio.org
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
Today's #SWAW focus = Flood Safety. 🌧️ 🌊 🛟 During a #flood, water levels and road conditions can change quickly. Never walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Know your evacuation route and practice it oftenReady.iowa.gov/floodsF7B #Ready5t5
Flood Safety--SWAW 2026 1. Know your evacuation plan along with safe alternate routes. Communicate plans with family members. 2. Pack an emergency kit with items like food, water, medications, chargers, flashlight, first aid kit, & a change of clothes. 3. Stay informed by watching local news and checking for alerts on your phone.
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
Do you know what to do when you are caught in a hail storm when you are at home? How about when you are driving? Use these tips to help stay safe during hail storms! #SWAW #IAwx #HailSafety
Staying Safe During a Hail Storm: safety tips for what to do at home and while driving during a hail storm.
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
Unlike a tornado that spins in a circle, a derecho is a long-lived straight-line windstorm. Because the winds move in a straight line, they can flatten entire cornfields, topple miles of power lines, and snap sturdy trees like toothpicks. learn more ready.iowa.gov.#SWAW
image of a tree with wind, an alert sign, and a sun with the text "A derecho is essentially a massive, long-lived wind storm that can carve a path of destruction over 240 miles, and includes wind gusts of at least 58 mph., Derechos move quickly. There is very little time to prepare. The NWS does not issue derecho warnings, but will issue a severe thunderstorm warning ahead of a derecho. 70% of all derechos occur between the months of May-August (the warm season). The other 30% occur during the cool season.
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
Iowa is not unfamiliar with large, damaging hail. Did You Know - The largest hailstone recorded in the US measured 7.9” in Vivian, SD. A 3" hailstone can fall to the ground as fast as 107 mph! #SWAW #IAwx
Did You Know - The largest hailstone recorded in the US measured 7.9” in Vivian, South Dakota. A hailstone can fall to the ground as fast as 107 mph! Make sure to always find shelter, stay indoors, and stay away from windows.
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
In the event of severe weather, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) will alert you to all tornado warnings as well as any destructive severe thunderstorms or flooding events. Review your mobile device settings to confirm you're receiving these. #iawx #SWAW
The graphic reads “What in the WEA?” along with a picture of a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) populated on the screen of a mobile device.
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
To stay prepared it is important to consider how you receive severe weather alerts. Do you get emergency information on your phone? Through local TV and radio? Where would you get information if you were at home or work versus if you were in your car traveling? #IAwx #SWAW
5 Ways to Get Warnings: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), NOAA Weather Radio, local TV and radio, internet and apps, and outdoor sirens.
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
Now that you practiced going to your safe place with the statewide drill, it is important to remember not wait until the day of the storm to start protecting yourself. If the forecast calls for severe weather, start preparing NOW. Stay #WeatherReady. #IAwx #SWAW #SWAW2026
Storm Planning Timeline. If the forecast calls for severe weather in a few days, start preparing now: make sure that you have emergency supplies; know your safe places; have a family communications plan. The day before, forecast accuracy continues to improve: adjust plans; make sure your phone can receive WEAs; ensure your shelter is clean and accessible. The day of, remain vigilant and aware of any active Watches - a Warning may be issued at a moment's notice: remind your family of the communication plan; know how to evacuate and/or get to safety from wherever you are; whenever a Warning is issued, you may only have seconds to take action!
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NWS Des Moines
NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
Today’s focus for #SWAW2026 is on preparedness.. we'll be conducting a statewide tornado drill today in ONE hour at 10:00 AM CDT. This is an opportunity to practice your severe weather plan! #IAwx #SWAW #TornadoSafety
Information about Iowa’s statewide tornado drill, held in ONE HOUR at 10 AM CDT. Listen for the test warning on local media and NOAA weather radio. Move to a small interior room on the building's lowest level away from windows. Stay in a safe place with your head covered until warning has expired.
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IowaHSEM
IowaHSEM @IowaHSEM ·
Do you know the difference between a #tornado watch and a tornado warning? 🌪️ Know the difference and be ready to take action when a tornado is spotted or shows up on radar. Ready.iowa.govy #ReadyIA #SWAWu
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NWS Quad Cities
NWS Quad Cities @NWSQuadCities ·
Severe Weather Awareness Week for Iowa rolls on this week. Today's focus is on tornado safety! Do you know where your safe place is if under a Tornado Warning? #SWAW #IAwx #TornadoSafety
NWS Des Moines NWS Des Moines @NWSDesMoines ·
Today is Day 2 of Iowa's #SWAW2026 and we are focusing on tornado safety! Where is your safe place? Safe places include storm shelters and basements — but if not available, an interior room without windows can also be protective. #WeatherReady #IAwx #SWAW #TornadoSafety
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