Deadly EF3 Tornado Devastates Greenfield, Iowa

On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, a powerful tornado ripped through Greenfield, Iowa, a small city of 2,000 residents located 55 miles southwest of Des Moines.
The tornado was rated an EF3 by the National Weather Service, with winds reaching up to 165 mph. The twister carved a path of destruction nearly 25 miles long and 700 yards wide at its maximum.
Tragically, the tornado claimed the lives of four people in the Greenfield area. A fifth person, 46-year-old Monica Zamarron, was killed when her car was blown off the road by the tornado about 25 miles away from Greenfield.
At least 35 people were injured by the tornado in Greenfield, but officials believe the actual number of injuries is likely higher.

Deadly EF3 Tornado Devastates Greenfield, Iowa | The Prime Headline

The tornado left a wide swath of obliterated homes, splintered trees, and crumpled cars in its wake. It also ripped apart and crumpled massive power-producing wind turbines several miles outside the city.
Satellite photos taken by BlackSky Technology show the nearly straight path of destruction the tornado gouged through Greenfield, just south of the town’s center square.
Debris from Greenfield was lifted thousands of feet into the air by the tornado and fell to the ground several counties away, a testament to the twister’s intensity.
People as far as 100 miles away from Greenfield found photos, yearbook pages, and other items that had been carried away by the tornado stuck to their homes and property.
The Greenfield tornado occurred during a historically bad season for tornadoes in the U.S. As of May 21, there have been 859 confirmed tornadoes nationwide in 2024, which is 27% more than the average, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.
Iowa has had the most confirmed tornadoes so far in 2024, with 81 twisters touching down in the state.
On Tuesday alone, the National Weather Service received 23 tornado reports, with most in Iowa and one each in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The severe weather turned south on Wednesday, with the National Weather Service issuing tornado and flash flood warnings in Texas as parts of the state, including Dallas, were under a tornado watch.
Tuesday’s storms also pummeled parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers in the two states.
The 2024 tornado tally across the U.S. is more than 100 higher than the historical average. As of May 8, there have been 699 preliminary tornado reports, well above the historical average of 549, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

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In April alone, there were 378 preliminary tornado reports, followed by 129 so far in May. The only years with more tornadoes through May 8 were 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2017.
Tornado Alley has roared back to life in 2024, with the majority of tornadoes touching down in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. This is a major shift from recent years when twisters favored the Gulf Coast states and Tennessee Valley.
Ohio has also experienced a surge in tornadoes, with 54 reports so far in 2024.
The Greenfield tornado brought to life the worst-case scenario in Iowa that weather forecasters had feared, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter.
Climate change is heightening the severity of storms around the world, and the deadly Greenfield twister was spawned during a historically bad season for tornadoes in the U.S.
Residents of Greenfield are now left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives in the wake of this devastating tornado. Kimberly Ergish, 33, and her husband dug through the debris field that used to be their home, searching for family photos and other salvageable items. “Most of it we can’t save,” she said. “But we’re going to get what we can.”

FAQs:

When did the tornado hit Greenfield, Iowa?

The tornado struck Greenfield, Iowa, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

What was the intensity of the tornado that hit Greenfield?

The tornado was rated an EF3 by the National Weather Service, with winds reaching up to 165 mph.

How much damage did the tornado cause in Greenfield?

The tornado carved a path of destruction nearly 25 miles long and 700 yards wide, leaving behind obliterated homes, splintered trees, and crumpled cars. It also damaged power-producing wind turbines outside the city.

Were there any casualties due to the tornado?

Yes, the tornado claimed the lives of four people in Greenfield and a fifth person was killed when her car was blown off the road about 25 miles away. At least 35 people were injured.

How did the tornado impact areas outside of Greenfield?

Debris from Greenfield was lifted thousands of feet into the air and fell several counties away. People as far as 100 miles away found items like photos and yearbook pages carried by the tornado.

How does this tornado fit into the broader context of weather patterns in 2024?

The Greenfield tornado occurred during a historically bad season for tornadoes in the U.S., with 859 confirmed tornadoes nationwide by May 21, which is 27% more than average. Iowa has had the most confirmed tornadoes in 2024.