As an area of low pressure moved across the Upper Midwest, thunderstorms developed during the afternoon of Memorial Day (May 27th) across portions of northeast Iowa. These storms quickly became severe and produced tornadoes across Floyd, Chickasaw and Howard Counties. The first tornado developed near Charles City (Floyd County) and was on the ground for about 7 miles, extensively damaging some buildings at the Floyd County fairgrounds along damaging three houses severe enough to make them inhabitable. Another tornado moved across rural portions of Howard County for 12 miles and damaged a wind turbine and cattle barns. Two other weaker tornadoes also touched down across northwest Chickasaw County and northern Howard County very close to the Minnesota state line.

Tornado in FLOYD, IOWA
From 27-MAY-19 11:23:00 to 27-MAY-19 11:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: FLOYD CROSSING
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 625.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tornado touched down west of Charles City and moved north-northeast before dissipating northwest of Colwell. The tornado did extensive damage to seven buildings at the Floyd County fairgrounds. At a fertilizer plant across the road from the fairgrounds a roof was partially peeled off from one building while the main building was left leaning after having an entire side ripped off.  Three homes along the path were damaged severely enough to be declared inhabitable.

Tornado in HOWARD, IOWA
From 27-MAY-19 12:14:00 to 27-MAY-19 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELMA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 35.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado entered into Howard County southwest of Elma as it moved north-northeast and then dissipated after crossing Dale Avenue. Farm buildings were damaged just north of the Chickasaw County line. This was witnessed by area fire departments serving as spotters.

Tornado in HOWARD, IOWA
From 27-MAY-19 12:25:00 to 27-MAY-19 12:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLE LEAF
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 1.30M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado formed over rural Howard County south of Saratoga and then traveled north-northeast before dissipating just before entering Lime Springs. The tornado struck and destroyed a wind turbine north of State Highway 9 and also destroyed a large farm building along Lilac Avenue.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, IOWA
From 27-MAY-19 12:44:00 to 27-MAY-19 12:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIME SPGS
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

After a tornado dissipated just outside of Lime Springs, the remaining winds from the storm blew down several trees and powerlines and cause some roof damage to homes in town. Around 900 residents were without power after the storm.

Tornado in HOWARD, IOWA
From 27-MAY-19 12:49:00 to 27-MAY-19 12:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: LIME SPGS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado formed over far northern Howard County north of Lime Springs before quickly moving across the state line into Fillmore County, Minnesota. This was the third tornado of the day in Howard County.

Tornado in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 27-MAY-19 12:10:00 to 27-MAY-19 12:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: DEERFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down across northwest Chickasaw County southwest of Alta Vista. The tornado traveled north-northeast across rural parts of the county before passing into Howard County southwest of Elma. This was spotted by area fire departments.