A tornado hit suburban Omaha, Nebraska, causing significant damage to homes and structures. While there were reports of injuries, no fatalities were immediately reported. Multiple tornadoes were reported in Nebraska and Iowa, with the most destructive storm moving from a rural area into the suburbs northwest of Omaha. Photos showed heavy damage in the city of Minden, Iowa, located northeast of Omaha. In Lancaster County, Nebraska, three people were injured when a tornado hit an industrial building, causing it to collapse with 70 people inside.
Omaha was hit particularly hard by the tornado, with hundreds of houses sustaining damage in the Elkhorn area. Police and firefighters went door-to-door to assist residents, planning a detailed search for anyone trapped in the debris. Many homes were destroyed or severely damaged, with several newly built large homes being wrecked or leveled. Emergency vehicles were on the scene, and many residents described the devastation they witnessed as the tornado passed through.
Despite the extensive damage, only minor injuries were reported, as many residents had warnings of the tornado allowing them to seek shelter. Emergency crews were working diligently to check all unsafe structures and ensure no one was trapped inside. The tornado warning came just as children were about to be released from school, leading many schools to shelter in place until the storm passed. It could take up to two weeks to determine the number and strength of the tornadoes that impacted the region.
In addition to the damage in Omaha, another tornado hit the eastern edge of the city, passing through Eppley Airfield. The airport was temporarily closed to assess the damages but was later reopened. The tornado continued into Iowa, crossing the Missouri River north of Council Bluffs. Reports of damage were starting to come in, with the University of Nebraska Medical Center not yet seeing any injuries. In Lancaster County, two people were being treated at a trauma center for injuries sustained during the tornado.
Many residents, like Daniel Fienhold, witnessed the formation of the tornado and took shelter as the storm passed through the region. The forecast for the following day was ominous, with tornado watches issued for parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Forecasters warned of the possibility of large hail and strong wind gusts, indicating the potential for another significant weather event. The community was preparing for the next storm, ensuring residents were aware of the risks and taking precautions to stay safe.
