Multiple tornadoes caused devastation and fatalities in the Midwest on May 21, 2024. The small town of Greenfield, Iowa was among those hit hardest by the severe weather. According to multiple sources, including FOX 9 and WAPT, at least several people were killed in Greenfield when a tornado ripped through the town.
The extent of the damage is significant. FOX 9 reported that most of Greenfield was gone, with debris scattered throughout the area. The Adair County Health System set up a triage center at the Greenfield high school to treat injured individuals.
At least a dozen people were taken to hospitals outside of Greenfield due to damage at the local hospital. Among the buildings damaged was a retirement center, but it is unclear if there were any injuries there.
The tornadoes were part of a larger severe weather outbreak that touched down in multiple locations across Iowa, including Red Oak, Carbon, Corning and Greenfield. Several other towns in the region were also affected by the storms.
Damage was reported to power lines, wind turbines and homes. At least one wind turbine was on fire and lying propped against the ground in Prescott, Iowa. The FOX Forecast Center spotted debris on radar from two twisters that impacted Carbon and Corning.
Greenfield, Iowa has a population of around 2,000 people and is the heart of Adair County. Damage appeared to be significant on the south and east sides of Greenfield around where the region's medical center sits. Parts of Adair County were without power following the severe storms.
Roads into and out of Greenfield were blocked by first responders in the hours after the severe weather to keep nonresidents out of the community. A wind gust of 71 mph was reported east of Des Moines at the Newton Municipal Airport. A Dust Storm Warning was issued for Central Illinois due to reduced visibilities around Champaign and Decatur.
The National Weather Service in Des Moines has received reports of tornadoes from multiple locations, including Greenfield, Macksburg, Winterset, Norwalk, Alleman, Cambridge and Pleasant Hill. All of these locations are within 50 miles of Des Moines.
Search and rescue crews do not believe anyone is still missing but believe it'll take at least another day to determine exactly how many people were impacted during the severe weather outbreak.