A tornado tore through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, damaging hundreds of homes and structures, but thankfully there were no immediate reports of deaths. The destructive storm moved from rural areas into the suburbs northwest of Omaha, causing extensive damage. Multiple tornadoes were reported in Nebraska and Iowa on Friday, with the city of Minden, Iowa also sustaining heavy damage. In Nebraska’s Lancaster County, three people were injured when a tornado hit an industrial building, causing it to collapse with 70 people inside. Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening as everyone was evacuated.
Omaha police and firefighters went door-to-door in the hardest-hit area of Elkhorn, where many homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Crews were focused on conducting a detailed search of the area to ensure no one was trapped and that all victims were rescued. Residents recounted seeing the tornado touch down and taking shelter as their neighborhood was destroyed. In Elkhorn, dozens of newly built homes were damaged, with some being completely wrecked or having the top half ripped off. Emergency vehicles were present in the area to assist with the aftermath of the tornado.
Only two people were transported for treatment with minor injuries in Blair, a city north of Omaha, while fire crews conducted a second search of homes. Omaha’s airport was also impacted by a tornado that crossed the Missouri River into Iowa, causing officials to temporarily close the facility. Damage reports were just starting to come in, and emergency response teams were assessing the situation. The forecast for the following day warned of more potential tornado outbreaks across the region. The Omaha Public Power District reported nearly 10,000 customers without power in the area, while other areas braced for severe weather.
Nebraska Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Katrina Sperl stated that damage reports were still being collected, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center had not yet seen any injuries related to the tornadoes. In addition to the storm hitting the industrial building in Lancaster County, there were reports of a tipped-over train near Waverly. The hospital treating the injured individuals had not released details on their condition. The impact of the tornadoes was widespread, with authorities working diligently to assess the damage and provide assistance to those affected.
As residents began to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the tornado, concerns about Saturday’s forecast loomed large. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches across multiple states, warning of the potential for large hail and strong wind gusts. Meteorologists predicted another outbreak of severe weather, possibly farther south than the previous day. Despite the destruction caused by the tornadoes, the community came together to support one another and begin the process of rebuilding. Emergency responders remained on high alert, ready to assist with any further incidents that may arise as a result of the severe weather.
