Greenfield, Iowa tornado: Death count unclear as cleanup begins

On Tuesday night, a powerful tornado tore through the small town of Greenfield, Iowa, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake. The Iowa State Patrol confirmed multiple deaths, but authorities are still working to determine the exact number, hesitant to release a count until they are certain.

As of Wednesday morning, crews were diligently sifting through the rubble, searching for survivors and assessing the damage. The town of approximately 2,000 residents was severely impacted, with at least a dozen people injured in the severe weather. The National Weather Service has confirmed EF-3 damage, indicating winds of 136-165 mph, but evaluation is ongoing, and this classification may change in the coming days.

The community is coming together to support those affected, with shelters set up for residents and a local school converted into a makeshift hospital due to damage to the local medical facility. Just the night before, authorities were using a lumberyard as a triage center, highlighting the severity of the situation.

FOX Weather Storm Tracker Brandon Copic described the scene, saying, “Most of this town is gone. There’s no other way to put it. Most of this town’s gone.” The devastation is immense, and the people of Greenfield need our support.

If you’re looking to help, you can drop off food and water at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Facility located east of Greenfield at 2313 Highway 92, Greenfield, IA 50849. Greenfield is situated about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines and 75 miles east of Omaha, making it easily accessible for those looking to provide aid.

In this difficult time, let’s come together to support the people of Greenfield as they navigate this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families and individuals affected, and we wish them strength and resilience in the face of this disaster.