The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lucas, Clarke, northern Decatur, and northern Wayne counties until 8:00 a.m. Thursday.
At 7:13 a.m., meteorologists tracked a powerful severe thunderstorm near Osceola moving east at approximately 55 mph. The storm has been classified as destructive, with the potential to produce wind gusts up to 80 mph and quarter-sized hail.
Forecasters warn that the storm could cause significant damage, including downed trees, power outages, damaged roofs, shattered windows, and impacts to vehicles. Flying debris may also pose a serious danger to anyone caught outdoors.
Communities in the warning area include Osceola, Chariton, Murray, Russell, Humeston, Van Wert, Lucas, Garden Grove, Woodburn, Williamson, Weldon, Derby, Millerton, Le Roy, and areas surrounding Rathbun Lake and Red Haw Lake State Park. Lakeside Casino and the Chariton Municipal Airport are also within the warning zone.
The storm is expected to affect portions of Interstate 35 between mile markers 19 and 41.
Residents are urged to seek shelter immediately in a sturdy building and move to an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows. The National Weather Service cautions that intense thunderstorm lines can occasionally produce brief tornadoes in addition to widespread damaging winds.
