Iowa weather: Looking back at May 21, 2024, when storms spun up 13 tornadoes
Iowa saw 13 tornadoes spin up on May 21, 2024.
That includes the deadly EF4 that blew through Greenfield, killing four people and severely damaging or destroying more than 150 homes. A fifth person was killed in the same tornado when they were pulled from their vehicle near Corning.
A total of 125 tornadoes struck Iowa in 2024. That breaks the 2004 record of 120, and is the most tornadoes in a year since records began.
Scroll for information on Iowa's biggest tornadoes on May 21, 2024
Greenfield tornado
The deadly tornado first touched down in Page County, then barreled northeast for over 40 miles, with a maximum width of 1,000 yards and estimated peak winds of 175-185 mph.
NW Adams County tornado
For a time, multiple tornadoes were on the ground in rural Adams County. This EF-3 tornado traveled past Villisca and Carbon, tracking just northwest of the tornado that would eventually hit Greenfield.
Adair County tornado
As the Greenfield tornado ended, another developed and traveled northeast, lifting near the Madison County line south of Dexter.
Polk/Story County tornado
This EF-2 trekked from Johnston all the way to Zearing in just over half an hour, causing extensive damage through rural Polk and Story counties.
