Authorities have confirmed five dead and scores injured in the aftermath of the devastating Iowa tornado. The first-of-its-kind rotating wind stunned the residents of Greenfield, Iowa, and exceeded the predictions of weather watchers.
Let’s see the extent of damage and how local officials are fighting to contain the disaster on the ground.
A Ferocious Tornado
The frightening tornado tore through Greenfield, about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines. Experts have tagged it the deadliest of the year, with wind speeds reaching as high as 185 mph.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado was wider than half a mile and traveled 44 miles on the ground. Its power was so great that its effects reached neighboring Adams County.
Massive Destruction
Greenfield, an area with over 2,100 residents, will take years to recover fully. “There’s basically nothing left,” says Clel Baudler, a former Iowa state rep who lives just half a mile away from Greenfield.
The tornado left hundreds of homes and businesses in ruins. It also destroyed lots of cars while leaving debris splattered across the length and breadth of the city.
At Least 35 Injured
No fewer than 35 persons sustained injuries as a result of the tornadoes. However, the Iowa Department of Public Safety believes that the actual figures are significantly higher.
More than 100 first responders were scouring the massive wreckage in search of trapped victims. Even the city’s hospital wasn’t spared from the disaster, with patients having to relocate to the nearest medical facilities.
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A Makeshift Hospital
According to State Rep. Ray Sorenson, authorities have had to erect a temporary hospital in the city’s lumberyard. Sorenson, who also resides in the area, has contributed to the rescue efforts.
“We pulled a guy from the rubble and put him on a little makeshift stretcher that we made for him on the back of the truck,” he narrated.
Four Seniors Were Among the Five Fatalities
Among the five people who lost their lives were four seniors aged 70 to 78 who died in Adair and Guthrie County. Dean and Pamela Wiggins, 78 and 77 years old, respectively, passed right in their homes where the tornado met them. Michael Jensen, 73, suffered the same fate.
However, for William Williamson, 70, his death came from the serious injuries he suffered from the disaster. He gave up the ghost on his way to the hospital.
The Last Fatality Happened in a Separate County
The fifth person who died from the tornado was Monica Irma Zamarron, 49. She was driving when the tornado caught up with her and flipped her vehicle. As a result, she was ejected from the vehicle and lost her life in the process.
Three tornadoes moved through Iowa, leaving widespread power outages and even causing flooding. Over 15,000 buildings were cut off from power in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
The Tornado’s Rating
Weather experts have rated the tornado EF4 to indicate its severity. This is the second-highest rating in the tornado rating scale known as the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale.
However, officials of the National Weather Service have indicated that the rating is subject to review. There is a likelihood that its rating could move up to the highest category.
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This Tornado is a First of Its Kind for the Greenfield Area
While Greenfield is used to tornadoes, never has the city experienced any of this kind. Tony Lyza, a scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, threw more light on this.
“Tornadoes producing this intensity and this kind of damage are rare in the United States,” he told newsmen. “We only have a handful of these each year.”
Federal Government’s Response
The federal government has also stepped into the picture. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that the Biden administration had sent the FEMA administrator to Iowa.
She also mentioned that the White House had established communications with both state and local officials. Also, she stated that the administration was praying for the people of Iowa and wishing them a “speedy recovery.”
America and Extreme Weather
America isn’t new to extreme weather conditions. In addition to tornadoes, United States residents have battled extreme flooding and heat, especially in the past five years.
For example, in the beginning of 2024, Washington DC residents groaned under scorching heat, which reached as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, a flooding incident caused the Rapidan Dam to fail, which led to the sweeping away of a family home.
Global Disasters
Not just in America, many weather disasters such as this have ravaged other parts of the globe, ranging from the Indian heat waves to the extreme flooding in Germany. We hear of incidents like these every month.
Scientists are accusing climate change of causing these weather disasters. They believe that as climate change continues to worsen, we should expect to see these disasters more frequently.
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