Greenfield, Iowa – A devastating tornado tore through the small town of Greenfield, Iowa, resulting in multiple fatalities and leaving at least a dozen people injured, according to authorities. Sergeant Alex Dinkla of the Iowa State Patrol described the destruction caused by the tornado during an evening press conference, emphasizing the impact on the community.
Dinkla refrained from providing an exact death toll, citing the need for more time before figures could be accurately determined. The twister wreaked havoc in Greenfield, a town with a population of about 2,000, leading to injuries that required victims to be transferred to nearby medical facilities due to damage sustained by the local hospital.
Governor Kim Reynolds announced her plans to visit Greenfield in the morning, expressing a commitment to assessing the storm’s full impact in the coming hours and days. Reynolds assured residents of the state’s support in the recovery efforts, including provisions for shelter, food, water, and the restoration of power to affected areas.
Tragically, a woman in Adams County was reported as a storm-related fatality by the county’s medical examiner, Lisa Brown. Governor Reynolds declared a “disaster emergency” for 15 counties, allowing for expedited utilization of state resources in response to the storm’s aftermath.
In Adams County, the devastating effects of the tornado were evident as several wind turbines, reaching around 25 stories high, were nearly destroyed, with one catching fire. Reports indicated additional damage to wind turbines in nearby Adair County.
Prior to the tornado wreaking havoc in Iowa, the National Weather Service had issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across the Midwest, including parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The destructive power of the storm was felt in Rollingstone, Minnesota, where at least one tornado was confirmed earlier in the day.
As Iowa and surrounding states grapple with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the focus remains on providing essential support and resources to impacted communities in their recovery efforts. Governor Reynolds’ declaration of a “disaster emergency” underscores the urgency of the situation, paving the way for coordinated efforts to address the widespread damage caused by the tornado.