Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | EF3 |
| -- Length | 24.78 Miles |
| -- Width | 1300 Yards |
| State | IOWA |
| County/Area | ADAMS |
| WFO | DMX |
| Report Source | NWS Storm Survey |
| NCEI Data Source | CSV |
| Begin Date | 2024-05-21 14:00 CST-6 |
| Begin Location | 3SW NODAWAY |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 40.9007/-94.9265 |
| End Date | 2024-05-21 14:27 CST-6 |
| End Location | 1WNW WILLIAMSON |
| End Lat/Lon | 41.1579/-94.5951 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 1/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 1.80M |
| Crop Damage | 0.00K |
| Episode Narrative | PLEASE NOTE, for hail, wind, heavy rain and flooding, please see separate Storm Data entry for May 20-22.
Numerous tornadoes occurred on this day with numerous injuries and four fatalities at Greenfield in Adair County. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms brought torrential rainfall, damaging winds, hail and destructive tornadoes to the state. These thunderstorms were the result of a low pressure system which lifted north into the area on the night of May 20th, 2024, producing slow moving storms that dropped 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. This resulted in flash flooding over portions of northern and central Iowa through the morning of May 21st, 2024. Following the heavy rainfall through the morning, skies cleared out ahead of an approaching cold front. By the afternoon hours of May 21st, 2024, this cold front produced a line of strong thunderstorms which produced multiple strong tornadoes throughout the state, including one which led to significant damage in the town of Greenfield, IA, among other locations. This line of storms also produced damaging winds, leading to widespread tree damage and power outages throughout the forecast area. |
| Event Narrative | The tornado entered into Adams County after clipping the northwest corner of Taylor County. Damage was immediate on the county border with damage to trees and and to farm buildings and power poles within the first few miles in the county. The tornado continued to gain in strength and size as it travelled northeast through southwest Adams county remaining in rural areas south and east of Nodaway. The tornado eventually crossed Federal Highway 34 just north of Brooks with plenty of videos showing a large funnel with debris swirling below it. As the tornado crossed State Highway 148, it gained in strength with EF2 damage becoming more common. Upon reaching the intersection of 150th Street and Notchwood Avenue, EF3 damage occurred with much of an unanchored house losing walls and sliding off the foundation. All outbuildings at this site were also destroyed. As the tornado continued into the north central portion of the county, it encountered several industrial wind mills. Several of the towers collapsed along with the large blades being tossed hundreds of feet through the air. The tornado was multi-vortex at this point with a width of 1300 yards. The tornado exited the county into Adair County between Quince Avenue and Redwood Avenue. The was one death in the county from this tornado when a female driver was ejected from a vehicle which got caught within the circulation. |
Event Fatality Details:
| Type | Age | Gender | Fatality Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death (Direct) | 49 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer |
