Multiple Tornadoes Touch Down in Iowa, Causing Deaths and Damage

Multiple tornadoes strike Iowa, resulting in fatalities and significant damage. Stay updated on the latest developments and safety measures.

On Tuesday, a series of large, violent tornadoes struck Iowa, causing significant destruction and fatalities in some rural communities. The severe weather outbreak was centered southwest of the state capital, with more than a dozen tornadoes reported across western and central parts of the state. Search and rescue crews do not believe anyone is still missing from the storms but estimate it will take at least another day to determine the exact number of people impacted by the severe weather outbreak.

Tornadoes Cause Damage and Fatalities

Tornadoes were spotted in Red Oak, Carbon, Corning, and Greenfield, where 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, southwest of Des Moines. The FOX Forecast Center spotted debris on radar from two twisters that impacted Carbon and Corning, with debris being thrown at least 15 miles from a tornado that hit Greenfield, Iowa, a town with a population of around 2,000 people.

Several deaths were attributed to the tornadoes, with at least one Iowa resident believed to have been killed as a supercell raced through Corning in Adams County, and at least two fatalities reported in the Greenfield region. Several additional people were reported injured during the tornadoes across the state. Video footage showed people searching through rubble from what was believed to be a large tornado, likely on the upper half of the Enhanced Fujita Scale Wind Scale.

PowerOutage.us reported more than half of Adair County was without power following the severe storms. MidAmerican Energy’s Geoff Greenwood confirmed that several wind turbines in Adair County took a direct hit from a large tornado and were damaged or destroyed. Damage appeared to be significant on the south and east sides of Greenfield, around the region’s medical center.

Governor Reynolds to Visit Greenfield

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds plans to visit Greenfield Wednesday morning to assess the damage with local officials and start the recovery process. In a statement, she expressed her condolences to the communities and families impacted by the severe weather and committed to providing the full resources of the state to support the response and recovery effort.

State and local officials are on the ground, assessing the situation and setting up temporary shelters for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. First responders and health care providers are onsite caring for the injured while utility crews work to restore service to thousands without power. The State Emergency Operations Center continues to coordinate missions to support local responders.

Recovery Efforts Underway

Search and rescue crews do not believe anyone is still missing from the storms but estimate it will take at least another day to determine the exact number of people impacted by the severe weather outbreak. Governor Reynolds acknowledged that it was just a few weeks ago that tornadoes hit several other Iowa communities, and it’s hard to believe that it’s happened again.

“Most of this town is gone…There’s no other way to put it. Most of this town’s gone,” said FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Brandon Copic, referring to the damage in Greenfield. Despite the devastation, Governor Reynolds emphasized that Iowans are strong and resilient and will get through this together. The recovery process is set to begin as officials assess the full impact of the storms in the hours and days ahead.