Greenfield, Iowa tornado

Tornado Outbreak in Iowa Causes Damage and Deaths


In early May 2024, Iowa experienced a devastating series of tornadoes that resulted in significant damage and fatalities. This outbreak was part of a larger storm system that affected multiple states, including Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.


Overview of the Outbreak


The tornado outbreak began on  and continued over the next several days. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed multiple tornadoes touched down across Iowa, with some areas experiencing particularly severe impacts. Notably, two significant tornadoes were confirmed in Clarke and Jasper counties,


Specific Tornado Events Clarke County Tornado 


Date and Time Touched down at approximately 12:38 AM.

Wind Speed Estimated between 95 to 100 mph.

Duration Lasted about 8 minutes.

Impact Caused moderate damage but no reported fatalities or injuries.


Jasper County Tornado 


Date and Time Touched down at 1:35 AM .

Duration Stayed on the ground for about one minute.

Impact Minimal damage, primarily to rural structures.

In addition to these confirmed tornadoes, several other areas reported significant damage, particularly in the towns of Glenwood and Macedonia, where multiple EF1 tornadoes caused extensive property damage and uprooted trees​. 


Damage and Casualties


The storms caused widespread destruction across Iowa, particularly in suburban and rural areas. Homes and buildings were damaged or completely leveled, power lines were downed, and infrastructure was significantly affected. For instance, in Glenwood, Iowa, tornadoes uprooted trees and damaged residential buildings, while in Minden and Shelby, outbuildings and power poles were severely impacted​.