During the afternoon and evening of July 19, an outbreak of 15 tornadoes impacted Iowa, a few of which were strong and destructive.
The outbreak was unusual due its late-season time of occurrence, and due to the fact that it was largely unexpected.
The Storm Prediction Center had only issued a slight risk with a 2% tornado risk area in the region prior to the outbreak, however it was upgraded to 5% later in the day.
An EF2 tornado struck the town of Bondurant, causing heavy damage to homes, while a simultaneous and nearly identical tornado caused EF2 tree and outbuilding damage to the north of town.
A powerful EF3 tornado struck the east edge of Pella, injuring 7 people and causing major structural damage to large factory buildings at the Vermeer plant.
Another damaging EF3 struck downtown Marshalltown, heavily damaging or destroying numerous homes, businesses, and a Lennox International plant, and injuring 22 people.
Several other weak tornadoes also occurred, including an EF0 that caused minor tree and fence damage in Ankeny.

On July 20, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather across parts of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Damaging winds were the main threat, though the outlook included a 10% risk of tornadoes.
Several tornadoes touched down, though all were weak.
One EF1 tornado caused considerable damage to homes and barns near Corydon, Indiana, while another EF1 downed trees and destroyed outbuildings in and around the town of Moonville.
Twenty-six tornadoes occurred as a result of this outbreak, which resulted in 29 injuries.
During the afternoon and evening of July 19, an outbreak of 15 tornadoes impacted Iowa, a few of which were strong and destructive. The outbreak was unusual due its late-season time of occurrence, and due to the fact that it was largely unexpected. The Storm Prediction Center had only issued a slight risk with a 2% tornado risk area in the region prior to the outbreak, however it was upgraded to 5% later in the day. An EF2 tornado struck the town of Bondurant, causing heavy damage to homes, while a simultaneous and nearly identical tornado caused EF2 tree and outbuilding damage to the north of town. A powerful EF3 tornado struck the east edge of Pella, injuring 7 people and causing major structural damage to large factory buildings at the Vermeer plant. Another damaging EF3 struck downtown Marshalltown, heavily damaging or destroying numerous homes, businesses, and a Lennox International plant, and injuring 22 people. Several other weak tornadoes also occurred, including an EF0 that caused minor tree and fence damage in Ankeny. 
On July 20, the Storm Prediction Center issued a moderate risk of severe weather across parts of Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Damaging winds were the main threat, though the outlook included a 10% risk of tornadoes. Several tornadoes touched down, though all were weak. One EF1 tornado caused considerable damage to homes and barns near Corydon, Indiana, while another EF1 downed trees and destroyed outbuildings in and around the town of Moonville. Twenty-six tornadoes occurred as a result of this outbreak, which resulted in 29 injuries.
Tornadoes of 2018