Tornado 'with 60mph winds’ heads towards central United States
A HUGE tornado with winds set to reach 60mph is heading towards midwestern states in the US.
Tornado building in Iowa, in the US with winds expected to reach up to 60mph
Footage from the storm, known locally as a “twister”, show a funnel near a house in south Stuart, Iowa.
A tornado warning has been issued by the US’ National Weather Service (NWS) for most of Iowa until 10pm local time (4am BST).
The weather service said strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to bombard the area, bringing large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain.
A tornado warning has bee issued to midwestern states in the US
Shed and tree damage from tornado earlier north of Farragut, IA. #iawx pic.twitter.com/znywMrLwyU
— NE Twister Chasers (@NE_Chasers) June 28, 2017
The NWS Des Moines revealed that hail stone size of golf balls were possible in central Iowa, affecting towns such as Buckingham and Grundy Centre near Waterloo.
Hail approximately the size of a one pound coin is predicted in other regions and photos from Cambridge show 1.5inch balls of ice.
TDS Weather tweeted: “A large and extremely dangerous tornado is on the ground near Prairieburg, Iowa. This is a particularly dangerous situation.”
Tornado Warning including Pella IA, Otley IA until 6:45 PM CDT pic.twitter.com/IKz7ZkdE48
— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) June 28, 2017
Several tornado warnings have been issued across Iowa's neighbouring state Missouri, according to local weather stations.
Eyewitness said tornado sirens have been sounded across the region to warn residents.
Shianna Lewis said on Twitter: “Tornado sirens going off and skies looking bad.”