On May 23, 2024, a tornado with at least EF3-level damage struck the town of Greenfield in Iowa. The storm left five people dead and dozens injured. Survey teams assessed the damage and determined it to be at least an EF3 tornado.
The tornado destroyed multiple wind turbine towers, an unusual occurrence as turbines are built to withstand extreme weather conditions. However, the tornado's peak winds of 135 mph were stronger than the typical mechanisms designed to protect them.
Residents in Greenfield and nearby areas faced additional challenges as flood advisories were active until Friday due to heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service reported that central and northern parts of Iowa received about 2 to 4 inches of rain on Tuesday, causing flash flooding.
First responders, including more than 100 emergency workers, combed through the debris in Greenfield. A makeshift hospital was set up in the town's lumberyard to treat injured residents. Greenfield, home to over 2,100 residents and fewer deaths from tornadoes than in previous years, sustained significant damage.
The Iowa State Patrol reported that four fatalities occurred in Greenfield and at least one person was killed in nearby Adams County. The names of the deceased have not been released as their families are yet to be notified.
Flood watches were issued for northern and central Texas, where strong thunderstorms were expected throughout the day on Thursday. Several inches of snow accumulated in western Montana and central Idaho, causing dangerous road conditions and damage to trees and power lines.
In New Mexico, a recipe of high winds, hot temperatures, and low humidity created critical fire weather conditions. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for much of the state.
