Tornadoes wreak havoc in Iowa, killing multiple people and leveling buildings: See photos

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

Updated May 22, 2024 at 7:15 a.m.·1 min read

Multiple tornadoes touched down in Iowa on Tuesday, killing multiple people as powerful storms pummeled the Plains and Midwest.

Iowa State Police said that multiple people died in Adams County, just outside of Des Moines, and almost flattened the city of Greenfield.

"Ambulances are running north and south like crazy," Rep. Clel Baudler, who left the Legislature in 2018, told the Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network. "It’s all rescue and recovery right now."

Another "large and dangerous" tornado touched down near the small city of Fontanelle − also southwest of Des Moines − that raced northeast at 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

And another tornado hit the small city of Nevada, just northeast of Des Moines, downing power lines and damaging property.

The weather service urged people in areas with tornado warnings in effect to take cover. "You are in a life-threatening situation," the weather service warned.

Here are some photos from the aftermath of the tornadoes.

Power lines down after tornado touched down in the east side of Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Homeowners look around at the damage after a tornado touched down in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

June Handsaker consoles his brother Larry Handsaker after tornado damage his house in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Tornado damage in the East of Nevada on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Homeowners look around at the damage after tornado touched down in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Fire officials respond after a tornado touched down in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Tornado damage in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Homeowners look around the damage after a tornado touched down in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

Contributing: Kyle Werner and Lee Rood, Des Moines Register

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Photos: Tornadoes slam Iowa cities, killing several and leveling homes

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