A powerful tornado tore through suburban areas northwest of Omaha, Nebraska on Friday afternoon, causing widespread damage to homes and other structures. While injuries have been reported, it remains unclear if there were any fatalities from the storm.
The ‘Nebraska tornado’ first touched down in a rural area before cutting a path of destruction for miles into residential subdivisions, predominantly in the Elkhorn area in western Omaha. Photos and videos on social media showed heavily damaged houses with roofs ripped off and shredded trees lining the streets.
According to Omaha police Lt. Neal Bonacci, hundreds of homes sustained damage, with many either destroyed or severely impacted. Newly constructed, large homes in one Elkhorn neighborhood appeared to take the brunt, with at least six houses leveled.
“You definitely see the path of the tornado,” Bonacci said, adding that police and firefighters were going door-to-door to assist anyone trapped in the wreckage.
Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman stated crews were searching the “hardest hit area” and had a plan to thoroughly check debris piles, basements, and damaged properties for potential victims.
Residents described a harrowing experience as the tornado barreled through.
“We watched it touch down…and then we took shelter,” said Pat Woods, an Elkhorn resident. “When we came up our fence was gone and we looked to the northwest and the whole neighborhood’s gone.”
The tornado was one of multiple twisters reported across Nebraska on Friday. After passing through Omaha’s suburbs, it continued eastward across the Missouri River into Iowa.
Also, prior to hitting Omaha, the same storm injured three workers at an industrial plant in Lancaster County when it collapsed with around 70 employees inside. Officials said everyone was evacuated and the injuries were non-life-threatening.
Damage assessments are ongoing, but Nebraska Emergency Management spokesperson Katrina Sperl said aside from the destroyed homes, an airport terminal and industrial areas were also impacted. Thousands lost power across the Omaha metro area.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer credited advanced weather warnings for preventing more injuries, stating “people had warnings of this and that saved lives.” However, the level of destruction has shocked the community, with residents like Kim Woods lamenting “the whole neighborhood just to the north of us is pretty flattened.”
