The National Weather Service has announced that Marion and surrounding counties are now under a tornado watch until 12AM tonight.

Here is the National Weather Service report:

THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER FOR TONIGHT. LARGE HAIL…DAMAGING WINDS…ISOLATED TORNADOES…AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL ALL BE POSSIBLE WITH THE THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.

Counties included include Marion, Jasper, Mahaska, Monroe, Polk, Poweshiek, Appanoose, Lucas, Monroe, Warren and Wayne.

Severe weather is now occurring in central Iowa.

Be sure to tune in to 1320AM 92.1FM KNIA/KRLS during severe weather, when we are the only local source for severe weather information. We have trained weather spotters on staff, and are in constant contact with local officials to provide you the very best award winning local severe weather coverage. And remember, when the power goes off, our generators go on, 24/7 until the severe weather has passed.