Several tornadoes were reported in Iowa and Illinois, downing power lines and trees after a deadly twister devastated a small town. The storm system began in Nebraska before moving across central Iowa and into Illinois, with wind gusts of up to 80 mph recorded in Iowa and heavy rain in some areas. At least five tornadoes were reported south of Iowa City and near Moline, Illinois, but no injuries were reported. In Oklahoma, a tornado was on the ground for about an hour in Jackson County and neighboring counties as a slow-moving storm moved through.
Emergency managers reported structures and homes damaged in Iowa and Illinois, but the extent of the damage was still being assessed. Severe weather was expected throughout the Memorial Day weekend, with storm systems forecasted in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa. The latest severe weather comes as residents of Greenfield, Iowa, are still cleaning up after a strong tornado hit the community earlier in the week, killing four people and injuring 35 others. The storm system on Friday brought heavy rains, hail, and strong wind gusts to the area, adding to the challenges faced by those already dealing with the aftermath of Tuesday’s tornado.
Among those killed in Greenfield were Dean and Pam Wiggins, whose grandson Tom Wiggins described them as loved by their family and the entire town. Residents like Bill Yount were left to clean up the debris, as the tornado ripped through their homes and caused extensive damage. Yount described how his life was changed in just 40 seconds as the storm destroyed his property. The National Weather Service determined that three powerful tornadoes had carved paths totaling 130 miles across Iowa, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation.
In Iowa, emergency managers were assessing the damage caused by the storm system that swept through on Friday, while residents in Greenfield continued to clean up and recover from the earlier tornado. The community of about 2,000 people was hit hard by the storms, with more than 100 homes destroyed and several lives lost. The latest severe weather added to the challenges faced by residents as they tried to rebuild and restore their lives. Despite the devastation, residents like Bill Yount remained resilient, determined to clean up and move forward in the face of the destruction.
The storm system that swept through Iowa and Illinois brought heavy rain, hail, and strong wind gusts, adding to the challenges faced by residents already dealing with the aftermath of earlier tornadoes. Emergency managers were working to assess the extent of the damage and help those affected by the storms. The National Weather Service warned of more severe weather expected in the region over the Memorial Day weekend, with storm systems forecasted in several states. Residents in Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma were urged to stay informed and take precautions as the severe weather continued to impact the area.
