Severe weather warning in effect

[February 26, 2009]  At 2:26 p.m. Thursday, National Weather Service meteorologists detected a
line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing destructive winds in excess of 70 mph. These storms were located along a line extending from Mason City to Petersburg, or along a line extending
from Mason City to 17 miles southwest of Mason City, and was moving east at 30 mph.

Locations affected include:

• Athens.

• Middletown.

• Hartsburg.

• Elkhart.

• Lincoln.

• Cornland.

Other locations in this warning area are Beason, Greenview, Mount Pulaski and Tallula.

Doppler radar has indicated some weak rotation within this storm. While not immediately likely, a tornado may still develop. If a tornado is spotted, act quickly and move to a place of safety in a
sturdy structure such as a basement or small interior room.

If you are in the path of this storm, prepare immediately for damaging winds and deadly cloud-to-ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter, preferably inside a strong building, but
stay away from windows.

Report any severe weather or damage to your local emergency manager or the nearest law enforcement agency for relay to the National Weather Service.

[Text from file received from National Weather Service]