Greenfield, IA – An EF3 tornado wreaked havoc in Greenfield, Iowa on Tuesday, resulting in at least four fatalities and widespread destruction. Among those killed was a dedicated female storm chaser who tragically lost her life while tracking the severe weather.
According to the Des Moines Register, the storm chaser was killed when her vehicle was struck by the tornado near Greenfield on Tuesday. Iowa State Patrol confirmed several fatalities and reported that more than a dozen people were injured. An official count of the fatalities has yet to be released as damage crews continue to search through affected areas. Authorities have imposed a mandatory curfew from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday, likely extending for several days. Only residents with Greenfield addresses are being allowed back into the area.
Governor Kim Reynolds visited Greenfield on Wednesday to survey the damage. In a statement, she pledged the full resources of the state to support the response and recovery effort.
In the aftermath, residents are working together to salvage belongings and begin rebuilding. A reunification point has been set up at Nodaway Valley High School, which is also serving as a temporary shelter for displaced residents.
Severe thunderstorms that day brought damaging winds and large hail to portions of eastern Iowa and northwestern Illinois. Areas along and north of I-80 were especially hard hit, with wind gusts of 70-90 mph causing significant damage to structures and trees. The highest reported wind gust of 100 mph was recorded southeast of Atkins, Iowa. Other notable gusts included 92 mph in Balltown, Iowa, and 80 mph in both Norway and Lowden, Iowa.
