Residents of Iowa woke up on Wednesday morning to survey the damage left behind by a wave of deadly storms that swept across the state the night before. One town, Greenfield, about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines, was hit particularly hard by a tornado, leading to multiple deaths and injuries. Governor Kim Reynolds issued an emergency disaster proclamation in 15 counties, and at least 110,000 customers in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana were left without power. The National Weather Service warned of more severe weather to come, with a wide swath of the United States at risk of storms with large hail, damaging winds, and potentially tornadoes.
Greenfield, a city of about 2,000 people, sustained significant damage from the tornado, with homes destroyed, cars mangled, and debris strewn across the roads. The Adair County Health System hospital in the city was also damaged, leading to the transfer of patients to other nearby hospitals. A curfew was put in place from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. as authorities assessed the extent of the damage and the final death toll. The Iowa State Patrol described the tornado as devastating a good portion of the town and community, highlighting the severity of the situation. In nearby Adams County, three wind turbines were toppled, with one catching fire and releasing a large plume of smoke.
In addition to the tornado in Greenfield, multiple tornadoes were reported in southwest Iowa and north of Des Moines. A flood warning was in effect for Butler and Black Hawk counties northeast of Des Moines. The storms began on Tuesday morning with pea-sized hail, strong winds, and heavy rains in Madison County, southwest of Des Moines. More than 13 million people in parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin were under tornado watches at one point on Tuesday night. This severe weather episode was part of a pattern of turbulent weather across the Midwest in recent weeks, with dozens of people killed and numerous injuries reported in various states.
The storms have left a trail of destruction and chaos in their wake, prompting emergency responses from local and state authorities. The Iowa State Patrol, along with other agencies, has been conducting search and rescue operations to assist those affected by the storms. Governor Reynolds’ emergency disaster proclamation allows for additional resources and support to be brought to the affected counties. Power outages have also posed a challenge for residents in the impacted areas, with utility companies working to restore electricity to the thousands left in the dark.
As the Midwest braces for more severe weather in the coming days, communities are on high alert and taking precautions to ensure the safety of residents. The National Weather Service’s warnings and alerts are crucial in helping people prepare for and respond to the changing weather conditions. The resilience and solidarity of the affected communities will be essential in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the storms.
