Greenfield, Iowa was left devastated on Tuesday as a series of tornadoes tore through the region, leaving behind a path of destruction. The Iowa State Patrol confirmed multiple fatalities due to the tornado, with additional details yet to be disclosed. A storm chaser lost her life after her vehicle was blown off the road in Corning, further highlighting the severity of the situation.
Drone footage captured the extensive damage in Greenfield, showing widespread destruction in the area. Former Iowa state representative Clel Baudler described the scene as catastrophic, stating that the tornado had virtually wiped out the town. The National Weather Service initially rated the tornado as EF3 strength, although this rating is subject to change.
Residents like Rogue Paxton from Greenfield expressed the community’s resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of coming together to support one another. Despite the loss of homes and property, Paxton remained optimistic about the future, acknowledging the challenges ahead.
The impact of the tornadoes extended beyond Iowa, with reports of storm-related deaths in Adams County and wind turbine destruction in Prescott. In Red Oak, Iowa, a suspected tornado caused further damage, while meteorologist Tony Laubach documented the destruction caused by another tornado in Stanton. The widespread power outages in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa underscored the magnitude of the storms.
In response to the crisis, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster emergency for 15 counties, mobilizing state resources to aid in recovery efforts. Governor Reynolds announced plans to visit Greenfield to assess the damage firsthand and provide support to the affected communities. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters and the importance of swift and coordinated response efforts.