A deadly tornado tore through the small city of Greenfield, Iowa, leaving four people dead and nearly three dozen injured. The twister was rated at least an EF-3 by the National Weather Service and caused extensive damage in the area. It took authorities over a day to account for all the residents in the affected area. In addition to the casualties in Greenfield, a fifth person was killed about 25 miles away when her car was blown off the road by a tornado.
The severe weather also impacted other areas, with officials in Texas issuing an emergency declaration in Temple after powerful storms caused significant damage and power outages. In Greenfield, the tornado destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and crushed cars in the town of 2,000 people. Kimberly Ergish, a resident whose home was destroyed, spoke about the devastation and the difficulty of accepting that her house was gone in a matter of seconds.
The deadly tornado in Greenfield occurred during a historic tornado season in the U.S., with climate change contributing to the severity of storms around the world. April witnessed the second-highest number of tornadoes on record in the country, with over 800 confirmed tornadoes this year. Iowa has experienced the most tornadoes so far, with 81 confirmed twisters. The National Weather Service received reports of 23 tornadoes on Tuesday, with 21 in Iowa alone, indicating the widespread impact of the severe weather.
The tornado in Greenfield was reported to have been on the ground for more than 40 miles, causing widespread destruction. Debris was lifted thousands of feet into the air, landing in counties far from the tornado’s path. People as far as 100 miles away posted photos on social media of items like family photos and school documents that were carried by the tornado. The White House expressed condolences for those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, with FEMA’s administrator scheduled to visit Iowa.
The hospital in Greenfield was among the buildings damaged by the tornado, leading to the closure of the facility. At least a dozen injured individuals had to be transferred to other healthcare facilities for treatment. Repairs to the hospital could take weeks or months to complete, leaving residents without immediate access to medical services. The destruction caused by the tornado transformed residential streets lined with homes into chaotic landscapes of debris and destruction.
Residents like Roseann Freeland shared harrowing experiences of seeking shelter in basements as the tornado hit. Many homes were left in ruins, with basements exposed and belongings scattered on front lawns. The community in Greenfield faced a long road to recovery in the aftermath of the devastating tornado. The full extent of the damage and the recovery efforts are ongoing, with support from state and federal agencies to help the affected residents rebuild and heal from the tragedy.
