Thunderstorms and severe weather aren't leaving Iowa anytime soon. Severe thunderstorms hit the state overnight Monday and Tuesday. While Tuesday's storms weren't a derecho, they still dumped heavy rain on the state.
Another wave of storms are on the way for late Wednesday night with severe warnings being issued in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area around 6 p.m. Storms should reach central Iowa around 8 p.m., according to the weather service.
Rain could add to Des Moines' record-breaking rainfall totals and worsen flash flooding conditions south of the metro.
Power outages in Des Moines leave 16,000 in the dark
At its peak nearly 16,500 MidAmerican Energy customers were without power after another wave of severe thunderstorms moved through central Iowa. Around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, 11,800 of the power outages were in Des Moines and 3,500 were in West Des Moines.
MidAmerican also reported about 4,000 customers in the Council Bluffs area are without power as of 9:20 p.m.
By 11:20 p.m., the outages in Des Moines had dropped to about 7,400 customers.
More:How long is food good in a fridge without power? Safety tips to get you through an outage
Severe thunderstorm warnings expire in Des Moines metro
The National Weather Service office in Des Moines issued several severe thunderstorm warnings for part of central Iowa.
As of 9:20 p.m., all warnings had expired. The National Weather Service said the system had weakened as it moved easy with isolated gusts of 40 mph. Breezy winds of 20-30 mph are possible on the back side of the storm.
Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Des Moines, most of southern Iowa
The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center is tracking a storm that looks to be moving northeast into Iowa.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Des Moines, Ames and most of southwestern Iowa from 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday.
The National Weather Service's Des Moines office warned that storms in the Omaha area had already produced wind gusts of 70-90 mph and cause tornado-like damage.
What time can Iowans expect storms on Wednesday evening?
Western Iowa will see storms first on Wednesday, with an enhanced risk between 5:30 and 9 p.m. In central Iowa, risks of severe weather are highest between 8 and 11 p.m. The storm will track to south central Iowa and leave the state between 1 and 3 a.m. early Thursday morning, NWS said in a news release.
The primary threats are hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall, NWS said. Tornadoes are a secondary threat, but still possible.
What is the severe weather outlook in Iowa on Wednesday?
Those in central and southern Iowa may have noticed some thunderstorms early Wednesday morning, and can expect more into the night.
Storms will begin in central and south central Iowa in the late afternoon and continue into the early evening, said Dylan Dodson, a meteorologist at the weather service's Des Moines office. Storms are expected so be short-lived on Wednesday, unlike the lingering storms Iowa saw early in the week.
Wind gusts of nearly 70 mph reported early Wednesday morning
Thunderstorm wind gusts of up to 67 mph were reported in Lee County around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Wapello County saw winds up to 63 mph.
Dallas and Polk County were among the spots with quater-sized hail, about 1 inch, reported early Wednesday.
Hundreds of power outages reported from early storms
There were hundreds of Alliant and MidAmerican customers across the state without power due to this week's storms.
About 252 Alliant users are without power in south central Iowa and 788 MidAmerican users are without power in the state as a whole, including 632 in Des Moines on Wednesday morning. Power had been restored for most customers by Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday storms drop big rainfall totals in Des Moines
Storms that rolled through central Iowa early Wednesday morning dropped significant rain in Des Moines and areas to its south and east. Des Moines recorded 3.46 inches of rain from midnight to 8 a.m. Wednesday, already setting a 24-hour record for July before more rounds of rain arrive.
How much rain did we get:See the week's reports from across the state
See the live weather radar for Des Moines
Track any incoming storms with a live loop of the National Weather Service's central Iowa radar:
Flash flood warnings are possible throughout the day
Flash flood warnings have been issued by NWS Des Moines in parts of southern Iowa, from Pleasantville to near Bloomfield until 2 p.m., and more local flooding is possible.
NWS Des Moines asked that residents report any floods in their area.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her atvreynarodriguez@registermedia.comor follow her on Twitter@VictoriaReynaR.
