Deadly tornado wreaks havoc in Iowa town, emergency declared

The Iowa State Patrol has confirmed multiple deaths from a tornado and at least a dozen injuries in storms on May 22, but it has not released specific numbers. (Photo/Agencies)

Images from the town of Greenfield show a path of utter destruction, with homes reduced to splinters, debris strewn everywhere and several large wind turbines toppled.(Photo/Agencies)

"This tornado has devastated a good portion of this town," said Sgt Alex Dinkla, a spokesperson with the Iowa State Patrol, during an evening press conference in Greenfield. "We can confirm there have been multiple fatalities with this tornado." (Photo/Agencies)

At least a dozen people in Greenfield, a town of about 2,000 people, were injured in the twister. Because the local hospital sustained damage in the storm, those people had to be transferred to facilities in nearby towns. (Photo/Agencies)

Other video showed smashed vehicles and heavy damage to a gasoline station in Greenfield, the county seat of Adair County, which along with adjacent Adams County appeared to have borne the brunt of the Iowa storms in the southwestern corner of the state. (Photo/Agencies)

Iowa governor Kim Reynolds declared a "disaster emergency" for 15 counties, including Adair and Adams, allowing state resources to be readily utilized in responding to the storm.(Photo/Agencies)

Also in Adams County, at least three wind turbines standing about 25 stories high were nearly snapped in half, with one catching fire. It said several other wind turbines were damaged in Adair County. (Photo/Agencies)

In the aftermath of the storm, mounds of broken wood from homes, branches, car parts and other debris littered lots where homes once stood. Some trees still standing were stripped of their limbs and leaves. Residents helped each other salvage furniture and other belongings that were strewn in every direction. (Photo/Agencies)