Tornadoes Tear Through Iowa: Devastation in Greenfield Leaves Community Reeling

 Powerful tornadoes tore through Iowa on Tuesday, bringing devastating destruction and tragedy to the state. The hardest-hit area was the small city of Greenfield, where the tornadoes left a scene of utter devastation. Homes, businesses, and even the local hospital were heavily damaged or completely destroyed. 

In Greenfield, located in Adair County, four people lost their lives, and at least 35 were injured. Many of the injured were transported to medical facilities outside the county, and the actual number of injured people is likely higher as these figures only include those treated at designated care sites. In Adams County, a woman tragically died when her vehicle was blown off the road by a tornado.

Governor Kim Reynolds quickly issued a disaster proclamation for 15 counties that were hit by the severe weather. She visited Greenfield, describing the scene as "tragic" and "gut-wrenching." Standing amidst the wreckage, she spoke about the huge portion of the town that had been flattened. State Representative Ray Sorensen shared a harrowing story of pulling a man from the rubble and taking him to a makeshift hospital set up in a nearby lumber yard.

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to ensure that all residents are accounted for. The scale of the destruction is immense, with piles of debris marking where homes once stood. Cars lie busted and bent, and trees, stripped of their branches and leaves, stand as grim reminders of the storm’s power. Residents are showing incredible resilience, helping each other salvage what they can from the wreckage.

The local Adair County Health System hospital in Greenfield was among the damaged buildings. Mercy One officials are assessing the damage to determine the next steps. Nearby, a wind farm suffered a direct hit, with five massive turbines crumpled, including one that caught fire. Wind speeds of over 100 mph were recorded just before the turbines were destroyed.

Power outages have been widespread. By Wednesday evening, about 3,500 homes and businesses in Iowa were still without power, down from over 32,000 on Tuesday night. The National Weather Service had warned of severe weather, prompting schools to end classes early and cancel evening activities in anticipation of the storms.

The storm system didn’t stop at Iowa; it also wreaked havoc in Nebraska. Omaha experienced torrential rain, high winds, and large hail, leaving over 10,000 customers without power. Several vehicles were submerged in flooded streets, and wind gusts reached up to 90 mph in Columbus, Nebraska.

Meteorologists have warned that more severe weather could be on the way. Tornado watches were in place for Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and Minnesota. The Chicago metropolitan area was bracing for possible tornado activity and wind gusts up to 75 mph. This storm is part of a series of extreme weather events that have recently affected much of the Midwest, including devastating hail in Colorado and deadly storms in Texas.

In the aftermath of this disaster, the residents of Greenfield and the surrounding areas are starting the long road to recovery. Supported by local and state officials, the community’s resilience is shining through as neighbors come together to rebuild and recover from this catastrophic event. The strength and solidarity of the people are providing a glimmer of hope amid the devastation, showing that even in the darkest times, the community can find a way to move forward.