Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed quickly over eastern Iowa during the early evening hours of May 3, 2012.  The thunderstorms quickly became severe, producing large hail and strong winds. A thunderstorm moving northeast through Henry and Washington Counties produced a tornado that was rated EF2 by an NWS storm survey team.  Damages along the track of the tornado were estimated to be about $1 million.
In addition to the severe weather, the thunderstorms were also associated with heavy rainfall. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1 inch in Johnson County, Iowa to 5 inches in Washington County. Thunderstorms lingered over southeastern Iowa past midnight but did not produce additional large hail or strong winds.

Hail in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 23:10:00 to 03-MAY-12 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: CONESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Flash Flood in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 20:58:00 to 04-MAY-12 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WASHINGTON ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported that streets were flooded in the town of Washington. Water was estimated to be three feet deep near an underpass at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and  East 5th  street. There was also flooding at the intersection of Madison and B Avenue. Sewers were also reported to be backing up across the town.

Flash Flood in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 21:00:00 to 04-MAY-12 03:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: MUSCATINE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple streets in the city of Muscatine were reported to be flooded. By 920 PM CST two feet of water had been reported on the streets on the northeast side of Muscatine. Widespread ponding of water was also reported.

Flash Flood in LOUISA, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 22:45:00 to 04-MAY-12 03:22:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLUMBUS JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The west side of Columbus Junction was flooded.

Hail in BENTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 18:37:00 to 03-MAY-12 18:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: VAN HORNE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BENTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:16:00 to 03-MAY-12 19:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORWAY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Dime sized hail fell between 716 and 719 CST.

Hail in IOWA, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:08:00 to 03-MAY-12 19:08:00 (CST-6)
Location: LADORA AIR STRIP
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported golf ball sized hail.

Hail in BENTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:31:00 to 03-MAY-12 19:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORWAY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:50:00 to 03-MAY-12 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in IOWA, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 20:01:00 to 03-MAY-12 20:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: PARNELL
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 20:01:00 to 03-MAY-12 20:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLON
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in HENRY, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:40:00 to 03-MAY-12 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAYLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado began near 120th street near Wayland in Henry County and moved northeast to near Crawfordsville in Washington County.  The tornado was on the ground for approximately 10 minutes in Henry County. Damage along the path of the tornado included: several farm outbuildings destroyed, roof damage to homes, trees snapped, and power poles damaged. The most severe damage occurred near and to the northeast of Noble (Washington County) where several turkey farms sustained extensive damage and two large wooden truss power poles were snapped off. Two homes between Noble and Crawfordsville had the roof removed as well as the exterior walls on the upper floor. One of the homes had a car lofted and tumbled across the yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in CEDAR, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 20:27:00 to 03-MAY-12 20:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGDALE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter estimated winds of 70 mph.

Tornado in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:50:00 to 03-MAY-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NOBLE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado began near 120th street near Wayland in Henry County and moved into Washington County near Noble and lifted near Crawfordsville.  The tornado was on the ground for approximately 10 minutes in Washington County. Damage along the path of the tornado included: several farm outbuildings destroyed, roof damage to homes, trees snapped, and power poles damaged. The most severe damage occurred near and to the northeast of Noble (Washington County) where several turkey farms sustained extensive damage and two large wooden truss power poles were snapped off. Two homes between Noble and Crawfordsville had the roof removed as well as the exterior walls on the upper floor. One of the homes had a car lofted and tumbled across the yard.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLINTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 21:30:00 to 03-MAY-12 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: LOW MOOR
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported four large trees down at Rock Creek Marina. One tree was 30 inches in diameter and fell on a motor home. Another tree fell on a cabin deck. Time of the event was estimated by radar.

Thunderstorm Wind in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 20:01:00 to 03-MAY-12 20:01:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm winds of 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 21:14:00 to 03-MAY-12 21:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: WALCOTT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A retired NWS employee estimated thunderstorm wind speeds of 60 to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 21:00:00 to 03-MAY-12 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported two large trees down. The time of the event was estimated by radar.

Heavy Rain in LINN, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 18:30:00 to 03-MAY-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERTRAM
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rain fell between 730 and 11 PM CDT.

Hail in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 03-MAY-12 19:55:00 to 03-MAY-12 19:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: CRAWFORDSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A person from the public reported ping pong ball sized hail. Time was estimated from radar.