A deadly tornado outbreak wreaked havoc across the Midwest on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction and multiple fatalities.
In the small Iowa town of Greenfield, a twister rated at least an EF-3 by the National Weather Service ripped through the community, killing four people and injuring nearly three dozen. The tornado, which traveled over 40 miles, left a path of devastation, leveling homes, crumbling cars, and uprooting trees.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly to search for survivors and provide assistance to those affected by the storm. Officials said the number of injured is likely higher than initially reported.
Another person was killed in Adams County, Iowa, when their car was blown off the road by a separate tornado. The victim, identified as Monica Zamarron, 46, died in the crash Tuesday afternoon.
The severe weather also battered parts of Texas, Illinois, and Wisconsin, knocking out power to tens of thousands of customers. In Temple, Texas, a city of over 90,000 people north of Austin, officials declared an emergency after powerful storms ripped through the area. Thousands of residents lost power, schools canceled classes, and traffic was blocked by debris at the nearby Fort Cavazos Army installation.
In Illinois, the storms caused widespread damage in several counties, including DuPage, Will, and Cook. Trees were uprooted, homes were damaged, and power lines were downed, leaving thousands without electricity.
Wisconsin also experienced significant storm damage, particularly in the southern part of the state. High winds and heavy rain caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages in many areas.
The National Weather Service said initial surveys indicated at least an EF-3 tornado in Greenfield, but additional damage assessment could lead to a more powerful ranking. The tornado appeared to have been on the ground for more than 40 miles, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter.
Satellite images taken by BlackSky Technology show a nearly straight path of destruction through the town, just south of Greenfield’s center square.
“Debris was lifted thousands of feet in the air and ended up falling to the ground several counties away from Greenfield,” Porter said. “That’s evidence of just how intense and deadly this tornado was.”
The storms come during a historic tornado season in the U.S., with April recording the second-highest number of tornadoes on record in the country. Through Tuesday, 859 tornadoes had been confirmed this year, 27% more than the U.S. sees on average, according to NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.
Iowa has so far recorded the most, with 81 confirmed twisters. On Tuesday alone, the National Service said it received 23 tornado reports, with 21 in Iowa.
The White House said it is monitoring the situation and that FEMA officials will be in Iowa on Thursday to assess the damage and provide assistance.
“Our hearts are with the people of Iowa who have been impacted by these devastating tornadoes,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “We are praying for those who have lost loved ones and wishing those who are injured a speedy recovery.”
