MAHA, Neb. (AP) — On Saturday, residents of suburban Omaha began the daunting task of sifting through rubble left by a tornado that devastated their homes and businesses as it tore through Nebraska farmland and into Iowa towns.
The Midwest experienced a series of destructive tornadoes on Friday, including one that collapsed a building with dozens inside and damaged or destroyed over 150 homes in Omaha. Remarkably, no deaths were reported, and fewer than two dozen injuries were treated, none serious, according to Dr. Lindsay Huse, Douglas County Health Department’s director.
The tornado activity started near Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday afternoon, hitting an industrial building in Lancaster County. Despite the collapse, 70 people inside were evacuated safely, with only three sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
The storm then moved toward Omaha, with damage suggesting it was an EF3 twister, with winds between 135 to 165 mph, according to Chris Franks, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Omaha. It eventually struck Omaha’s Elkhorn neighborhood, where residents like James Stennis recounted rushing to basements as the tornado destroyed their homes above.
By Saturday morning, the aftermath was visible in the Elkhorn neighborhood. Residents like Staci Roe, whose nearly new “forever home” was among those obliterated, returned to scenes of devastation. Efforts to clear and secure the area continued, with local authorities urging onlookers to stay away to avoid hindering recovery efforts.
Governors Jim Pillen of Nebraska and Kim Reynolds of Iowa spent the day assessing the damage and discussing disaster relief plans, including seeking federal aid. Their tours were impeded by traffic jams caused by curious bystanders, as noted by Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson.
Additionally, a second tornado impacted Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, destroying hangar buildings and damaging planes, though the passenger terminal remained unscathed.
The storm system then moved into Iowa, hitting Minden hard and destroying dozens of homes. Local emergency services and community members rallied to support those affected, delivering meals and assistance amidst the chaos.
The series of tornadoes also affected local events and caused transportation delays, with warnings issued for more severe weather across multiple states, including potential tornadoes and large hail.
As communities begin to rebuild, the resilience of those impacted stands out, with many thankful for the lack of fatalities despite the significant destruction.
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