GREENFIELD, Iowa — The EF-4 tornado that ripped through Greenfield, Iowa, on May 21 is the deadliest twister in the United States so far this year.
One day after the storm carved a path of destruction through the small Iowa town, the Joint Unified Command confirmed that four people died and at least 35 were injured as a result.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office also confirmed a death near Corning due to a woman's car being blown off the roadway. The woman has been identified as 46-year-old Monica Zamarron.
National Weather Service survey teams confirmed all five deaths were the result of the same tornado, making the storm the deadliest in 2024 so far.
The tornado was 1000 yards wide at max width and had estimated peak winds between 175 and 185 mph. Traveling around 44 miles, the tornado impacted parts of Adair and Adams counties.
According to NOAA data, the last time a tornado caused five deaths was on April 5, 2023.
At least seven tornadoes touched down on Tuesday, with Greenfield storms holding the strongest rating at EF-4. The Polk/Story County tornado ranked EF-2, while Red Oak, Buena Vista County and Page County joined the list as EF-1s. Montgomery County also had an EF-0.
For more information about ratings, wind speeds and more, click here.
The extensive damage in Greenfield is what the National Weather Service looks at to help estimate wind speeds and, ultimately, give tornadoes a rating. Originally, survey teams recorded the Greenfield/Corning tornado as an EF-3.
If you are unable to contact a loved one in Greenfield, call the Iowa Department of Public Safety Storm Lake Communication Center at 712-732-1341. For more information about reunification points and temporary shelters, click here.
Reynolds has already issued a Disaster Emergency Proclamation for the following counties:
- Adair
- Adams
- Black Hawk
- Buena Vista
- Butler
- Cass
- Cedar
- Clay
- Clinton
- Dubuque
- Fayette
- Franklin
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Harrison
- Humboldt
- Iowa
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Kossuth
- Marshall
- Mills
- Montgomery
- Muscatine
- O'Brien
- Page
- Palo Alto
- Polk
- Pottawattamie
- Story
- Tama
- Warren
The proclamation allows for grants up to $5,000 for qualifying individuals. Click here to read more about eligibility criteria and to apply for assistance.