A volatile environment featured a warm front from parts of east central South Dakota into western Minnesota, with a dryline extending to the southwest into Nebraska. With a very strong wave moving northeast through Nebraska into a highly unstable and highly sheared environment, scattered storms initiated and quickly grew upscale to a broad linear structure with damaging winds. With crop development well behind schedule and many fields yet to be planted, there was ample dirt available to be lofted into the leading edge of the storms, which took on the characteristics of a haboob reducing visibility to near zero at the onset of high winds.
A broad swath of winds from 70 to 100 mph devastated much of southeast South Dakota, and portions of southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa, causing extensive tree and structural damage and scores of injuries. The highest observed wind gust was 107 mph near Tripp, SD. In addition, vehicles and high profile vehicles were blown off several roads, shutting down traffic on Interstates 29 and 90. Two (direct) fatalities occurred in vehicles impacted by debris as the storms moved into the Sioux Falls area. Power was disrupted in a widespread area, with estimates of over 45,000 customers impacted at one time. Many schools were closed due to damage and power issues. The South Dakota Governor requested and was granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damage to public infrastructure at an estimated cost of 6.7 million dollars across 20 counties and two reservations. Private losses were a much higher toll, and just one of the impacted counties (McCook) estimated at least 150 to 175 million dollars in damage. Presidential Disaster Declarations were also granted in Dixon County, Nebraska and Lincoln County, Minnesota.
Following the afternoon line of storms, a secondary band of storms developed near the core of the upper level jet across eastern Nebraska in the early evening hours. These storms also quickly become severe, with a mix of large hail, damaging wind, and even an isolated tornado near Sioux City. This cluster of storms moved through far southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota during the evening.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:15:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Crop damage: 29.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A thunderstorm wind gust of 58 mph was measured by Iowa Road Weather Information System site RSCI4 1 mile southwest of Moville. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in SIOUX, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 16:05:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCK VLY
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Crop damage: 7.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The entire roof and all walls were blown off a hog barn, with debris scattered for at least three-quarters of a mile downstream. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUENA VISTA, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:49:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: STORM LAKE ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KSLB 3 miles west-southwest of Lakeside.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYON, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 16:35:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLE ROCK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Crop damage: 8.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Visibility was near zero due to strong winds and dust for around 10 minutes. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in O'BRIEN, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 19:00:00 to 12-MAY-22 19:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: GAZA
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm winds caused significant roof damage to a large machine shed. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in PLYMOUTH, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:30:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: KINGSLEY
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Crop damage: 16.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A machine shed and two trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 15:54:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIOUX CITY
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Thunderstorm winds downed large branches and powerlines.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 19:35:00 to 12-MAY-22 19:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKENS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous cottonwood trees were uprooted and powerlines down in the area. Winds were estimated from 65 to 70 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in OSCEOLA, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 16:55:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIBLEY
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Reported by: Department of Highways

A thunderstorm wind gust of 82 mph was measured by Iowa Road Weather Information System site RSYI4 3 miles northeast of Sibley.

Thunderstorm Wind in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:09:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: (SUX)SIOUX CITY ARPT
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

A thunderstorm wind gust of 68 mph was measured by Automated Surface Observing System site KSUX 2 miles southwest of Sergeant Bluff.

Thunderstorm Wind in SIOUX, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 15:54:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAWARDEN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The roof to the bus barn at West Sioux High School was removed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in IDA, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:40:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLSTEIN
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: COOP Observer

A large tree was knocked down by strong winds, estimate at least to 70 mph. Winds were strong enough to bow house walls and push an old barn off its foundation.

Thunderstorm Wind in O'BRIEN, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 16:30:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELDON MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Reported by: AWOS

A thunderstorm wind gust of 69 mph was measured by Automated Weather Observing System site KSHL 3 miles north-northeast of Sheldon.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 19:24:00 to 12-MAY-22 19:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPENCER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Public

A thunderstorm wind gust downed numerous 2 to 3 inch tree branches.

Tornado in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:01:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: SERGEANT BLUFF
Tornado F-scale: EFU
Reported by: Public

A video showed a brief tornado crossing Interstate 29 between Sergeant Bluff and Port Neal. The tornado caused no damage from which the NWS could assign an EF-scale rating.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYON, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 16:34:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: GEORGE SUDENGA ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Three inch branches were downed by thunderstorm winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYON, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 18:56:00 to 12-MAY-22 18:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LARCHWOOD ARPT
Magnitude: 76.00 MG
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet station 3 miles north-northeast of Larchwood measured a wind gust of 87 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in LYON, IOWA
From 12-MAY-22 16:08:00 to 12-MAY-22 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: LARCHWOOD ARPT
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Public

The roof of a large hog barn was ripped off by thunderstorm winds.