Greenfield, Iowa was hit by a devastating tornado that caused fatalities and injuries in the area, prompting search efforts to provide an accurate count of those affected. The Adair County Memorial Hospital, serving Greenfield, sustained damage but continued to treat patients and transport some to nearby hospitals for further care.
The National Weather Service issued tornado watches for several states in the Great Plains and the Midwest, including Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Nearly the whole state of Iowa was under a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” with multiple tornado warnings issued.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds authorized a proclamation of disaster emergency for 15 counties in the state, including Adair, Adams, Cass, Clay, Hardin, Harrison, Jasper, Kossuth, Marshall, Montgomery, Page, Palo Alto, Pottawattamie, Tama, and Warren. Videos captured by a local affiliate station showed a large funnel cloud on the ground in Greenfield, highlighting the severity of the tornado.
Severe weather continued across the Great Plains and the Midwest, with over 100 severe storms reported from Colorado to Michigan. While Minnesota, Nebraska, and Colorado reported at least three tornadoes, no significant damage was reported. In Yuma, northeast Colorado, large hail ranging from golf ball to softball size caused damage to vehicles and buildings.
As the severe weather threat extended through the region, potential record heat was forecasted in Texas and the Northeast, with temperatures expected to reach close to 90 degrees in cities like Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. The combination of severe weather and extreme temperatures painted a challenging picture for residents in the affected areas, urging caution and preparedness.