Multiple fatalities reported after May 21 severe weather, Iowa State Patrol says (2024)

IOWA, USA — High winds, harrowing storms and even tornadoes ripped across Iowa on Tuesday afternoon into evening, bringing destruction to parts of the state.

The town of Greenfield, Iowa was hit hard by a tornado, leaving a large section of town leveled after the system passed.

In a Tuesday night press conference, Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla confirmed multiple fatalities and more than a dozen injuries happened as a result of the severe weather on Tuesday, May 21.

Though no official numbers have been released yet, Dinkla said more details will come soon.

"We want to make sure that we've accounted for every individual that maybe needed some type of treatment with this storm," he said.

Dinkla added that a curfew will be in place for the town of Greenfield beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday and going until 7 a.m. on Wednesday. That curfew is expected to continue "for quite some time".

With the curfew in place, only people with Greenfield addresses listed on their IDs will be able to enter the town.

"The Greenfield community has a long road ahead of them. But if their actions today are any indication of what lies ahead, they will emerge stronger and more more united than ever," Dinkla said.

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.

Watch the full conference below:

Local 5's Dana Searles saw Iowa State Patrol, police cars and ambulances responding to a number of flattened homes and buildings. Downed trees and debris filled the streets of the small Iowa town, which is home to around 2,050 people, according to the 2022 census.

Neighboring towns are helping out, with theMadison County EMA confirming its involvement in cleanup efforts: "We are currently in Greenfield after there tornado. If you are not a emergency responder, please stay away from the area."

At least three ambulances left the town, and many more congregated at the Dollar General, which is serving as a triage center.

"I heard the loudest, like, loudest ambient noise I guess I've ever heard in my life. It was just a straight rumble constant loud, you know, and I felt an intense pressure in my ears ... And then our window blew out in the basem*nt. And all I could taste was dirt. So everything blew in and that was just calm," resident Jack Stanper said.

The Stanpers said they're lucky their family made it through safely, but that doesn't erase the pain of losing it all.

"There's something that you work so hard for that is no longer here. It's hard," Stanper said. "You know, it's it's very hard to you know, save up money to buy a house and when you have it. That's like your safe space."

Lifelong Greenfield resident Valerie Warrior described surviving the storm to Local 5's Jake Brend, saying it was a nightmare that ended as quickly as it began.

"I came upstairs and looked around and looked at my door front door ... and it was just devastating. Devastating, you know? You see it on television, but it's different when it happens to you and your house and your town and your people are different," she said.

Warrior said she's confident in the town's ability to rebuild.

"Everybody will help each other because that's what our town does," she said.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds shared the following statement in part:

“Kevin’s and my prayers are with all the communities and families impacted by today’s severe weather, and especially those who tragically lost their lives in the Greenfield area. I am committed to providing the full resources of the state to support the response and recovery effort.

“State and local officials are on the ground, assessing the situation and setting up temporary shelters for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. First responders and health care providers are onsite caring for the injured. Utility crews are working to restore service to thousands without power, and the State Emergency Operations Center continues to coordinate missions to support local responders. While it’s too soon to know the storm’s full impact, answers will come in the hours and days ahead. "

Reynolds will visit Greenfield on Wednesday.

Just east of Newton in Story County, severe storms downed power lines, caused a semi-truck crash and ripped the roof off of nearby buildings.

One destroyed building is a home of Highway 30 near Colo, where Local 5's Connor O'Neal spoke to the family whose house was heavily damaged. No one was injured.

The Story County Sheriff urged everyone to stay off the roads right now because of the dangers left behind by the storm.

Story County officials shared the following statement on Tuesday night:

"It has been confirmed that a tornado has hit areas of Cambridge, Nevada and Colo. First responders are assessing life safety and damages, There are downed power lines and debris in the affected areas. We are asking people to stay home and out of areas that sustained damage. We appreciate the public’s patience as the situation is addressed. "

In Des Moines, the Green Meadows, Green Meadows West, Beaver Drive and east of Merle Hay Road areas are being prioritized for cleanup. There are also downed power lines at NW 54th and NW 91st, as well as NW 51st.

At least half a foot of water covered Euclid Avenue and filled storm drains along the street, making it difficult for water levels to descend and creating dangerous driving conditions.

The Des Moines Police Department said Tuesday morning they had assisted nearly a dozen stalled cars in standing water.

"We still are a little shocked when we see people try to drive around a stalled car that's in standing water," said DMPD Sgt. Paul Parizek. "Because that is pretty predictable what is going to happen if you do the same."

Travel was not advised in Jasper County amid "unexpected flash flooding", according to the Jasper County Emergency Management Agency.

If you are stuck in a flash flooding event in a car, the best thing to do is find "high ground" as fast as you can. If that is not possible, you'll want to get out of the car climb on top of it and call 911.

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