KDSN RADIO News
One Year Later, Red Cross Continues to Support Residents Affected by Greenfield Tornado
MAY 19, 2025 — Nearly one year ago, on May 21, 2024, extreme weather swept through Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. Tornadoes destroyed many homes, while flooding left many more uninhabitable. Greenfield, Iowa, was most impacted as an EF-4 tornado left behind a path of destruction. The Red Cross immediately mobilized disaster workers and resources to help affected neighbors.
In the initial aftermath of the storm, the Red Cross focused on addressing the immediate needs of those affected, actively coordinating with local officials and partners in areas that were impacted to assess community needs and how best to help. In the days following the tornadoes, the Red Cross provided a safe place for people to go, served warm meals, and distributed clean-up supplies and relief items such as rakes, tarps, and storage totes.
Volunteers also attended to the physical and mental health needs of the residents. Along with these important services, Red Cross volunteers offered compassion and hope to families unsure of their next steps. After addressing the immediate needs, Red Cross volunteers worked with residents to create recovery plans. Through this process, the unique needs of each household are identified, and a plan for resolving those needs is developed. The recovery casework process continues a year later, as the Red Cross remains connected to many of the affected residents to assist their post-disaster journey.
Throughout the last year, the Red Cross has worked side-by-side with local long-term recovery groups to help communities rebound.
The Red Cross plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the hours, weeks, months and years following a storm like the May 21 extreme weather. Thanks to the power of passionate volunteers and the generosity of caring donors, the Red Cross was there, and continues to be there, for our communities following this devastating weather event.
