Reynolds tours ‘gut wrenching’ Greenfield tornado damage, will seek federal aid

Residents go through the damage a day after a tornado tore through town on May 21, 2024 in Greenfield, Iowa. Multiple deaths and injuries have been reported from a series of tornadoes and powerful storms that hit several Midwestern states. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Gov. Kim Reynolds, touring what she called “horrific” damage in Greenfield from Tuesday’s tornadoes, emphasized the resiliency of the Iowa communities and appreciation for the support received in the day since the storm.

As severe weather impacted areas across Iowa, Greenfield was hit by a major tornado that caused multiple injuries and deaths, as well as significant property damage to the town of more than 2,000 people. At a news conference Wednesday, Reynolds compared the Greenfield damages to that in Minden from an April tornado.

“It’s just gut wrenching,” Reynolds said. “I mean, I was just in Minden, as I said, three and a half weeks ago and that was horrific. And I think there’s even more debris and just more, more impacted here – so it is just horrific. It’s hard to describe until you can actually see it, the devastation. … But at the same time, I can’t begin to tell you just how heartwarming it is to see just everybody out there helping each other.”

The National Weather Service categorized the tornado that hit Greenfield as “at least” an EF3. In addition to extensive property damage, the Iowa Department of Public Safety confirmed Wednesday night that four Greenfield residents died in the tornado, in addition to at least 35 people injured.

Search and rescue efforts were ongoing in the area. Volunteers are being limited from entering Greenfield until these operations, as well as other damage assessment and initial recovery efforts, are completed by state and surrounding local law enforcement, emergency services and community services and people from across the state who traveled in to help residents.

State Rep. Ray Sorensen, R-Greenfield, said he was on the ground in Greenfield Tuesday night immediately after the tornado. As his community faced such major destruction, Sorensen emphasized the “incredible resolve” shown by Greenfield and the larger community in dealing with the aftermath of the damage, speaking about the work done Tuesday night to clear roads for emergency vehicles and move people with injuries to the temporary hospital area, as the local hospital was damaged in the tornado.

While volunteers are not yet being let into the town, Sorensen asked for continued attention on Greenfield and residents in need in the weeks and months to come.

“I know news and things like this are easy to forget – please don’t forget about us,” Sorensen said. “Please, please continue to send volunteers and be at the ready. Because we will need just hands on deck and chainsaws and whatever we need to – you know, heavy duty trucks – to get this stuff out of here and get started on the rebuild.”

Reynolds said she plans to submit a expedited request for a presidential disaster declaration, allowing Greenfield and other residents of areas impacted by Tuesday’s tornado to receive federal assistance — likely on Thursday, when damage estimates are finalized.

President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration for counties impacted by the extreme weather earlier in May, when 24 tornados hit communities across the state on April 26 and 27.

As Reynolds plans to seek another presidential declaration, she had already made a state Proclamation of Disaster Emergency Tuesday for those impacted by tornados and severe weather in 15 counties. The state declaration allows individuals in affected areas to seek assistance through the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for up to $5,000 for personal property damage if they have household incomes incomes at or below 200% the federal poverty line. It also activates the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, a system for helping residents impacted by disaster access programs and services available.

The presidential declaration would give access to assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Program. Additionally, Reynolds said she plans to consider seeking federal assistance from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s for farms and agricultural operations that were impacted by Tuesday’s severe weather.

Reynolds said FEMA staff is already on the ground in Greenfield, and will coordinate work with state and local efforts.

The governor thanked both the national and Iowa response and readiness to assist Greenfield and other impacted communities in the wake of the Tuesday weather. Officials said that people have already traveled from the Missouri and Nebraska state borders, as well as communities as far north as Fort Dodge, to volunteer and assist with recovery efforts.

“I’ve always said Iowa is one big community, and we certainly see that in times of tragedy and we’re witnessing it again,” Reynolds said.

This story has been updated to include information about the number of fatalities and injuries released Wednesday evening by Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The post Reynolds tours ‘gut wrenching’ Greenfield tornado damage, will seek federal aid appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.