Here's how you can help Greenfield Iowa recover from Tuesday's tornado

Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register
Updated ·6 min read

Unimaginable damage is how the Adair County Sheriff's Department described the result of the tornado that hit Greenfield, Iowa, Tuesday evening. The city is collecting monetary donations and looking for equipment to help aid in the town's recovery.

Multiple fatalities and at least a dozen injuries have been reported in Greenfield. An initial survey by the National Weather Service showed at least EF3 damage in the town. Damage is widespread in the town of about 2,000 people.

Volunteers access is limited in Greenfield, Iowa after tornado

Volunteers were welcomed into Greenfield for the first time on Thursday. A posting by the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency said access to the town was still limited.

Volunteers are asked to check-in at the Iowa DOT maintenance garage at 2313 Iowa Highway 92 in Greenfield.

Where to find health care with Adair County Health System's hospital closed?

If you are in Greenfield and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Do not go to the Adair County Health System looking for emergency care.

The system has established a 24/7 urgent care clinic at Nodaway Valley Elementary School, 324 Northwest Second St. in Greenfield. Primary care services are available at the school as of Thursday.

The ACHS Stuart Clinic, 303 Southwest Seventh Street, is also accepting walk-in patients for minor injuries.

What to do if someone is missing, injured or in need of shelter after Greenfield tornado

Call 712-732-1314 if you or someone you know is injured, missing or in need of shelter.

Adventureland hosts drop-off to donate supplies for Greenfield tornado recovery

Those in Des Moines wanting to donate supplies to Greenfield, Iowa tornado victims, can bring their donations to Adventureland resort from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through May 27.

Adventureland is coordinating with the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation to distribute the supplies. Look for the Spectators Sports Bar & Grill truck outside of Adventureland Inn, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona.

Items that have been requested include:

  • Building supplies (plywood, plastic totes, Brute 55-gallon trash bags, work gloves, shovels, roofing nails)

  • Flashlights

  • Lanterns

  • Lawn chairs

  • Basic tools

What items do Greenfield residents need?

The Adair County Free Press posted a list of requested items by Greenfield residents Wednesday. Any of the following items can be brought to the Creston News Advertiser office at 503 W. Adams St. in nearby Creston.

Here are items Greenfield residents requested in the aftermath of the tornado:

  • Plastic storage bags

  • Permanent markers

  • Totes

  • Packing tape

  • Scissors

  • Disinfecting wipes

  • Ponchos

  • Trash bags

  • Working gloves

  • First aid kits

  • Batteries of all sizes

  • Toilet paper

  • Paper towels

  • Shovels

  • Rakes

  • Diapers

  • Baby wipes

  • Baby formula

  • Non-perishable baby food

  • Clothing items (see post for specific size requests)

Access to Greenfield, Iowa is limited after tornado

The Adair Sheriff's Department said in a Facebook post in the early hours of Wednesday morning that access to Greenfield must be limited to ensure aid can enter the town. Anyone trying to enter the town must provide identification and nonresidents may be turned away.

"In speaking with those who responded to the tornado that struck towns in western Iowa earlier this spring, these steps are needed to prevent a tremendous amount of nonessential people from slowing down the progress of those who are essential to clean up, especially utility crews trying to restore power to the city," according to the Facebook post.

There are state troopers at most entrances to Greenfield. The emergency proclmation also imposes a curfew for the city between 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. After those hours, you will need identification to prove you are essential help.

More: Where is Greenfield, Iowa? Here's what we know about the deadly tornado

How to get credentialed to enter Greenfield, Iowa following tornado

Before you can help on the grounds in Greenfield, you must be credentialed to easily enter city limits, according to the Adair Sheriff's Office.

Visit the Iowa DOT Maintenance shed at 2313 State Highway 92, just east of Greenfield, for credentialing. The process began at 9 a.m. Wednesday. A large red Hy-Vee semi-trailer is expected to be the hub for credentialing, according to the Adair County Sheriff's Department.

Once you approach a checkpoint, you will need identification showing a Greenfield address or a specific location you are going to help. Be prepared to call someone at the address to verify where you are going, according to the Adair County Sheriff's Office.

Updates: Tornado, storm damage still being felt in Iowa as clean up begins

How to volunteer to help Greenfield?

The Adair County Sheriff's Office asked anyone willing to lend manpower or equipment for cleanup efforts to comment their contact information on a Facebook post made by the department on Tuesday. The department asked that volunteers refrain from calling the dispatch number because lines are busy.

Anyone who doesn't want their direct number on the Facebook post can directly message the sheriff's office Facebook page, according to the post.

Where is the community shelter in Greenfield?

There is a community shelter in Greenfield at the Nodaway Valley Community High School at 410 NW. 2nd St. The American Red Cross sent a trailer of supplies including water and blankets Tuesday evening.

Iowa's American Red Cross Division posted to their Facebook that the agency is actively working with local emergency management in impacted areas from the severe weather on Tuesday. The American Red Cross is supporting the independent community shelter, according to the social media post.

The aid organization is still assessing the needs of the community to determine how to help.

How to make donations to Greenfield, Iowa tornado recovery

FNB Bank and Union State Bank, two local banks in Greenfield, are accepting monetary donations for tornado damage from Tuesday.

Donations can also be made to Greenfield's foundation at greenfieldiafoundation.org.

The Red Cross is also accepting donations at redcross.org/ia.

Fundraisers are also popping up on GoFundMe. The online platform is vetting fundraisers to prevent fraud and adding verified fundraisers to a centralized hub. Look for the "Torando Relief in the Midwest" link on the company's homepage.

Who to contact for assistance from severe weather in Iowa?

The Red Cross has a hotline for anyone in need of assistance from the severe weather, according to the organization's Facebook post.

You can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or 1-800-733-2767.

"We will continue to prove comfort and support to our fellow Iowans in the coming days and weeks," the Red Cross Facebook post stated.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Greenfield, Iowa begins tornado recovery. Here’s how you can help