Greenfield, Iowa Tornado: EF3 Rating, Multiple Deaths Reported

Summary:

• A tornado in Greenfield, Iowa has been rated as at least an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
• Multiple people have died in the storm, which struck Tuesday afternoon.
• Search and rescue efforts are ongoing in Greenfield, where the tornado flattened homes and buildings.

Details:

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Des Moines, the tornado swept through Greenfield at approximately 4:30 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2024. The storm caused significant damage to the city, with aerial footage showing numerous flattened homes and businesses.

The NWS has rated the tornado as an EF3, indicating that it had wind speeds of at least 136 mph. This makes the Greenfield tornado the strongest to hit Iowa since 2018.

Emergency responders are currently conducting search and rescue operations in Greenfield. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported, but the exact number is still being determined.

The tornado also caused damage in other parts of southwestern Iowa. A storm chaser was pronounced dead after her car was blown off the road in Corning, which is located about 25 miles west of Greenfield.

The town of Greenfield is home to approximately 2,000 people. Much of the town has been destroyed by the tornado, and authorities are urging residents to stay away from the area.