Greenfield tornado kills 4, injures at least 35

Four people were killed and at least 35 were injured after a tornado struck Tuesday in Southwest Iowa’s Greenfield, state public safety officials said Wednesday as search and rescue efforts continued.

“It should be noted that it is believed that the number of those injured is likely higher, but these numbers reflect only those patients treated for their injuries at designated alternate care sites,” the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a statement. “At least 14 patients were transported to out-of-county medical facilities by various EMS services.”

The department, which did not release the names of those killed, said those who believe a friend or loved one still is unaccounted for should call the (712) 732-1341.

The National Weather Service confirmed damage consistent with at least an EF-3 tornado in Greenfield, an Adair County town of 3,000. EF-3 damage equates to winds between 136 and 165 mph. The assessment is subject to change, the agency said.

Tornadoes also were reported Tuesday in Nevada, Iowa, and near Des Moines, according to the weather service.

Initial storm surveys have confirmed at least EF-3 damage in Greenfield, IA. Additional damage evaluation will continue over the next several days and results are subject to change. Additional tornado paths and ratings will be added as data continues to be collected. #iawx

— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) May 22, 2024

Photos from Greenfield show entire streets flattened, houses ripped from their foundation and crumpled cars on the street. Videos show the tornado destroying wind turbines in a field outside the city.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell will travel Thursday to Greenfield to survey the damage, the agency said. Criswell will hold a news conference with state and local officials at 11:15 a.m.

Iowa officials did not disclose more details about the deaths in Greenfield during a news conference Wednesday.

“When we have this many homes that have been destroyed, just fully demolished, we want to make sure that every resident, every person is accounted for,” Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said.

In another incident, one woman was killed when her vehicle was blown off the road about 30 miles southwest of Greenfield, according to the Associated Press.

The weather service had three survey teams Wednesday in Iowa. The teams were surveying Greenfield, an area to the southeast including Adams, Taylor and Page counties, and an area north of Des Moines, including Ankeny and parts of Story County.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Tuesday for 15 Iowa counties that were affected by the storms. Reynolds, on Wednesday, issued a second disaster proclamation for an additional 17 counties.

She said Wednesday she is working on submitting an expedited request for a federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden, which will open up individual assistance from the FEMA. Reynolds said her office is hoping to submit the request by Thursday.

“We’re hoping by no later than tomorrow we’ll have those numbers in, so that we can get them to the White House and get a presidential disaster declaration as quickly as possible,” she said during Wednesday's news conference.

The state Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line for expenses incurred by the storms.

Affected Iowans can apply with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security, and applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to apply.

The storms come nearly a month after tornadoes across the state caused significant damage in Minden and Pleasant Hill in April. Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for those counties last week.

Recovery efforts underway

Hundreds of first responders — including police, fire and emergency medical services — from the surrounding areas responded after the damage in Greenfield, officials said.

The state disaster declaration also dispatched officials from the Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Homeland Security to assist, Reynolds said.

The hospital in Greenfield was damaged in the storm, leading responders to transfer patients and set up a makeshift hospital in a lumberyard, state officials said Wednesday. Some people injured Tuesday were driven or airlifted to surrounding hospitals.

State Rep. Ray Sorensen, a Republican who lives in Greenfield and represents the district, said the community jumped into action after the storm passed.

"Everybody became little makeshift ambulances," he said. "We pulled a guy from the rubble and put him on a little makeshift stretcher that we made, threw him in the back of a truck of a guy that isn't even from Iowa, and we just made our way to the lumberyard."

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Reynolds praised the "resiliency" of the community and first responders as they began to assess the damage and work toward rebuilding.

"Communities across the state have been on site and ready to help, and we're just so grateful for all of their response to this incident," she said.

While the search and rescue continues, Reynolds said officials are holding off on bringing in outside volunteers. Sorensen said the community will need volunteers as soon as the search is complete.

"Please don't forget about us," he said. "Please continue to send volunteers and be at the ready, because we will need hands on deck, and chain saws, and heavy duty trucks to get this stuff out of here and get started on the rebuild."

How can I help Greenfield?

Greenfield is accepting only volunteers connected to residents in the city or authorized contractors, according to a social media post from Sorensen. The Iowa Department of Transportation has set up a check-in site on Highway 92 for eligible volunteers.

The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation has set up an online fund for tornado relief efforts. Donations can be made to the fund at greenfieldiafoundation.org.

Donations can be dropped off in-person at all branches of Union State Bank and First National Bank.

Physical donations can be dropped off to St. John's Catholic Church at 303 North East Elm St. in Greenfield, which will be accepting supplies from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The city is asking for the following physical supplies:

The Adair County Sheriff's Office posted a call on Facebook for people interested in volunteering their equipment or time to the cleanup efforts. The office directed people to leave their contact information and what type of help they can offer in the comments of the post.