Confirmed Tornado on the Ground in Iowa Moving Northeast at 30 MPH Threatening Leon Chariton and Knoxville Take Shelter Immediately
IOWA — A confirmed tornado is on the ground in southern Iowa as of 7:20 PM CT on Monday, May 18, 2026, moving northeast at 30 mph and tracking directly toward a populated corridor that includes Leon, Chariton, and Knoxville. Anyone in the path of this storm must take shelter immediately.
Confirmed Tornado on the Ground Right Now
This is not a tornado watch or a warning based on radar rotation alone. A tornado has been confirmed on the ground near the Mount Ayr and Lamoni area and is actively moving northeast. The storm is well-organized and dangerous. Every second counts for residents in its path.
The Tornado Track and Arrival Times
Forecasters have plotted the tornado’s projected path and provided estimated arrival times for communities directly in its track:
| Location | Estimated Arrival |
|---|---|
| Leon, Iowa | 8:46 PM EDT (30 min) |
| Chariton, Iowa | Approximately 9:58 PM EDT |
| Further Northeast | 9:16 PM EDT (60 min) |
| Further Northeast | 9:46 PM EDT (90 min) |
| Knoxville Area | 10:16 PM EDT (120 min) |
Cities and Communities That Must Act Now
The tornado track cuts through a corridor of southern and central Iowa communities. Anyone located in or near the following areas must seek shelter immediately:
- Mount Ayr and Lamoni
- Leon
- Chariton
- Knoxville and Indianola
- Corydon and Seymour
What You Must Do Right Now
There is no time to wait. If you are in or near this tornado track, go to your lowest floor immediately, get to an interior room away from windows, cover yourself with a mattress or blanket, and do not go outside until warnings have expired. Do not attempt to outrun this tornado by vehicle.
Heed all weather warnings and take shelter now.
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for live tornado tracking updates as this storm continues moving northeast through Iowa.
