Iowa governor requests presidential disaster declaration for counties hit by Tuesday's tornadoes

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds requested an expedited presidential disaster declaration for four Iowa counties that suffered damage from severe storms and tornadoes on Tuesday.

The tornadoes that tracked across much of the state Tuesday left severe damage in Greenfield, Iowa, killing four people there and a fifth person in nearby Adams County. At least 35 others were injured, authorities said.

"We've had a lot of destruction and damages across the state, and hopefully we'll meet the criteria to qualify," Reynolds said during a news conference with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell in Greenfield on Thursday.

Reynolds' request covers Adair, Polk, Story and Montgomery counties. The letter requests activation of FEMA's Individual Assistance Program and the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program for all four counties. Reynolds also requested activation of FEMA's Public Assistance Program for Adair County, where Greenfield is.

More counties may be added once the request is approved, Reynolds' office said.

Approval would open up the FEMA Individual Assistance Program and other aid for residents of those counties who lost property or income from the storm. The program provides households and businesses with housing assistance, property replacement and other aid. It does not cover any losses that are covered by insurance.

The FEMA Public Assistance Program would provide grants to state and local governments, as well as some nonprofits to assist in cleanup and recovery.

Criswell said on Thursday the agency is working through processing the disaster declaration request.

"Me being on the ground here today really helps me understand the actual impact," Criswell said. "... We are going to continue to work with the governor's team to assess all of the damages that have happened and make sure that whatever we can provide assistance for, that we're able to do so."

Reynolds issued state disaster proclamations for 32 Iowa counties this week, which makes residents in those counties eligible for the state Individual Assistance Grant Program. Qualifying residents with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty line can receive $5,000 grants for expenses incurred by the storms.

Reynold said 153 homes were destroyed or suffered major damage in Adair County, 8 in Montgomery County, 26 in Polk County and 15 in Story County.

After initially reporting EF-3 damage, the National Weather Service said Thursday they had identified damage consistent with an EF-4 tornado in Greenfield and Southern Adair County. EF-4 damage equates to winds between 175-185 miles per hour. The assessment may still be refined, the agency said.

The NWS said Thursday that a preliminary assessment found the tornado that traveled through Page, Adams and Montgomery counties was rated EF-3. The agency also confirmed the tornado that struck Polk and Story counties was an EF-2 tornado, with winds reaching up to 135 miles per hour.

Another tornado in southeast Adams County was identified, and the NWS said it identified damage consistent with an EF-0 tornado.

Criswell praised the efforts of first responders and the Greenfield community in their response to the disaster.

"We also hear so many stories of hope and inspiration, of neighbors helping neighbors," she said. "And I often say, they're often the true first responders, because they know where the most vulnerable members of their community are."

Criswell encouraged people in the affected counties to take photos and document damage to their property, which can help in determining a disaster declaration.

Tuesday's severe weather comes about a month after several tornadoes struck Iowa in April, leading to severe damage in Minden and killing one person. Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for those counties last week.

More potential severe weather is forecast in western Iowa on Thursday night and into Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The agency is predicting thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds and possibly "a few brief tornadoes."

What was the path of the tornadoes on Tuesday?

The National Weather Service has officially surveyed three tornadoes that struck Iowa on Tuesday.

Donna Dubberke, the chief meteorologist at NWS Des Moines, said the surveyed twisters covered more than 130 miles across the state. They formed over Montgomery and Page counties around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The tornadoes strengthened as they moved northeast at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, Dubberke said. It took about one minute for the tornado to carve its destructive path across Greenfield, she said.