A tornado ripped through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, causing widespread destruction to hundreds of homes and structures. The twister traveled for miles, cutting through farmland and residential areas, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. While injuries have been reported, it remains unclear if there have been any fatalities as a result of the storm.
Multiple tornadoes were reported in Nebraska, with the most destructive one moving from rural areas into the suburbs northwest of Omaha, a city with a population of 485,000. Social media images depicted severely damaged homes and uprooted trees, while videos showed roofs stripped of shingles in rural areas near Omaha. Law enforcement officials have blocked off roads in the affected areas.
Police Lieutenant Neal Bonacci stated that hundreds of houses in Omaha, particularly in the Elkhorn area, suffered damage. First responders are currently conducting door-to-door searches to assist individuals who may be trapped in debris. Bonacci mentioned that injuries have been minor thus far, and there have been no reports of damaged businesses.
In Elkhorn, numerous newly constructed large homes sustained damage, with at least six being destroyed, including one that was leveled. Emergency vehicles have been deployed to the area to provide assistance. One witness recounted that three individuals, including a child, were in a basement when the tornado struck but managed to escape unharmed.
Another tornado struck the western edge of Omaha, passing through parts of Eppley Airfield, resulting in the closure of the airport. Officials are assessing the extent of the damage, and flight delays are expected. The tornado then crossed the Missouri River into Iowa, north of Council Bluffs.
Nebraska Emergency Management Agency spokesperson Katrina Sperl reported that damage assessments are ongoing. The University of Nebraska Medical Center has not yet received any reports of injuries. Prior to the tornado hitting Omaha, an industrial plant in Lancaster County was struck, injuring three workers. Additionally, reports of a tipped-over train near Waverly in Lancaster County have been received.
The Omaha Public Power District stated that nearly 10,000 customers were without power in the Omaha area. Residents in the region have been advised to remain vigilant as tornado watches have been issued across parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, with the possibility of large hail and damaging wind gusts.
