Four people have been confirmed dead and at least 35 injured after a devastating tornado tore through the farming town of Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday. The tornado reduced homes and buildings to rubble, leaving the community in shock and authorities scrambling to assess the full extent of the damage.
Greenfield, a close-knit community of 2,000 residents located approximately 97 kilometers southwest of Des Moines, bore the brunt of the violent storm. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, sifting through the wreckage in search of survivors who may still be trapped beneath the debris.
“When we have this many homes that have been destroyed, fully demolished, we want to make sure every person is accounted for,” said Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Alex Dinkla during a morning news conference on Wednesday.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced the casualty figures after a day-long search and rescue operation. While the identities of the deceased have not been released pending notification of their families, officials have emphasized the urgency of accounting for all residents.
Of those injured, at least 14 were transported to hospitals outside the county for medical treatment. Authorities believe the actual number of injured is likely higher, as many may have sought help on their own or assisted others in the immediate aftermath.
Images from Greenfield reveal scenes of utter devastation: homes reduced to splinters, uprooted trees, crushed vehicles, and debris scattered across the landscape. Several large wind turbines on the outskirts of town were toppled or snapped in half by the force of the storm.
“It’s horrific. It’s hard to describe,” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds remarked upon surveying the damage. She has declared a disaster emergency for 15 counties and is working with state officials to request a federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden to secure additional assistance.
The tornado in Greenfield was one of several reported across southwestern Iowa on Tuesday afternoon and evening. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicated that preliminary reports counted 23 potential tornadoes in the region.
The storm’s impact was not limited to property damage. Among the buildings affected was a local hospital, forcing authorities to establish a makeshift medical care center at a nearby lumberyard. Some of the injured were transported to facilities in other areas due to the hospital’s compromised state.
Community members acted swiftly to help one another. State Representative Ray Sorensen recounted how residents used their own vehicles to ferry the injured to safety moments after the tornado struck. “We pulled a guy from the rubble and put him on a little makeshift stretcher we made and threw him in the back of a truck,” he said.
As recovery efforts continue, severe weather remains a concern. Forecasts predict additional thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds across the Southern Plains. Tornado watches have been issued for much of Texas, as well as parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The National Weather Service reported at least three tornadoes touching down in Texas on Wednesday evening.
A separate storm system threatens areas in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia with potential tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. Authorities urge residents in affected areas to stay alert and follow safety instructions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
