A tornado caused significant damage in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday, tearing through farmland and into residential neighborhoods. While some injuries were reported, there were no immediate reports of fatalities. Multiple tornadoes were also reported in Nebraska and Iowa, with the most destructive storm moving from a rural area into the suburbs northwest of Omaha. Photos on social media showed heavy damage in Minden, Iowa, located about 30 miles northeast of Omaha. In Omaha, hundreds of houses, mostly in the Elkhorn area in the western part of the city, sustained damage.
In a news briefing, Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman described the scene in the Ramblewood neighborhood of Elkhorn as “significant damage,” with many houses flattened or severely damaged. Crews were conducting detailed searches of the affected neighborhoods through the night and into the following day, dealing with power outages, downed power lines, gas leaks, unstable structures, and fallen trees. Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer reported that two people had been hospitalized with minor injuries and emphasized the challenges posed by the destruction caused by the tornado.
Witnesses in the Elkhorn area described the tornado’s impact, with one resident, Pat Woods, recalling how the storm touched down nearby, causing destruction across the neighborhood. Another resident, Dhaval Naik, shared that three individuals, including a child, sought shelter in a basement and were able to safely escape. Schools in the Omaha area sheltered students in place during the tornado warning, and buses continued to transport students home after the storm passed. The National Weather Service planned to assess the tornado damage over the following days to determine the number and strength of tornadoes that occurred.
In addition to the tornado in Omaha, another tornado struck parts of Eppley Airfield, the city’s airport, on the eastern edge of the city. While the passenger terminal was not directly hit, people sought shelter in storm shelters until the tornado passed. The airport authority closed the facility for damage assessment but later reopened it for operations. Elsewhere in Nebraska, Lancaster County experienced injuries when an industrial building collapsed, and reports emerged of a tipped-over train near Waverly. The forecast for the following day indicated a possibility of severe storms and tornadoes in multiple states, with warnings of large hail and strong wind gusts.
As communities in Nebraska and Iowa braced for further severe weather, officials and residents remained vigilant and prepared for potential outbreaks of tornadoes and damaging storms. The recent tornadoes had already caused significant damage in the region, and the threat of further severe weather loomed. The forecast called for continued monitoring of weather patterns and warnings to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the affected areas. The aftermath of the tornadoes in Omaha and beyond underscored the importance of preparedness and response in the face of natural disasters like tornadoes.
