Greenfield tornado kills 4, injures 35 others, state officials say

The tornado that hit Greenfield on Tuesday killed four people and injured at least 35 others, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Officials believe the injury count actually is higher "but these numbers reflect only those patients treated for their injuries at designated alternate care sites," a news release late Wednesday said.

At least 14 patients were transported to out-of-county medical facilities by various emergency responders that helped in the immediate aftermath of the storm, the news release said. Greenfield's hospital was hit and evacuated of patients. It remains closed as cleanup continues.

Officials did not identify those who died pending family notification.

Iowa saw an outbreak of powerful tornadoes Tuesday that the National Weather Service warned beforehand could be a "particularly dangerous situation.” More storms developed in Clarinda, Creston and Corning, where one woman in a car died. The tornado was so powerful it toppled wind turbines.

More: 'Lucky again': Tornado kills one in rural southwest Iowa; neighbors describe near-misses

The worst damage, though, was in Greenfield where homes were thrown from their foundations, cars stacked on top of debris, and trees stripped of their bark. The National Weather Service said preliminary reports indicate it was "at least" an EF3 tornado.

Cleanup continues in the Adair County town of about 2,000 people 60 miles southwest of Des Moines. Gov. Kim Reynolds estimated the damage could reach into the millions of dollars there.

If you believe that a friend or loved one is still unaccounted for, call the Iowa Department of Public Safety Storm Lake State Communication Center at 712-732-1341. 

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Greenfield Iowa tornado kills 4, injures 35 others