“A powerful tornado wreaked havoc in suburban Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday afternoon, causing extensive damage to hundreds of homes and structures along its path. While injuries were reported, it remains unclear if there were any fatalities.
Multiple tornadoes were observed in Nebraska, with the most destructive one cutting through rural areas before reaching the northwest suburbs of Omaha, a city with a population of 485,000. Social media images depicted severely damaged homes and uprooted trees, while videos captured the aftermath of the storm’s rampage.
Law enforcement officials blocked off roads in affected areas, as emergency responders worked tirelessly to assist those trapped or injured. Reports indicated minor injuries thus far, with no major damage to businesses reported.
The suburb of Elkhorn, particularly hard-hit, saw numerous homes damaged or destroyed, with emergency services rushing to the scene. Residents recounted harrowing experiences, including one family who safely sought shelter in their basement as their home was demolished.
In addition to residential areas, the tornado also swept through parts of Eppley Airfield, prompting authorities to temporarily close the airport. While there were no immediate reports of injuries at the airport, flight operations were halted as officials assessed the damage.
The tornado eventually crossed the Missouri River into Iowa, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Emergency management agencies are now assessing the extent of the damage, with power outages affecting thousands of customers in the Omaha area.
In Lancaster County, three workers were injured when a tornado struck an industrial plant, though their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening. Other reports included a tipped-over train near Waverly, underscoring the widespread impact of the severe weather.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the tornado, weather authorities issued tornado watches across several states, warning of potential large hail and damaging wind gusts.
Contributions to this report were made by journalists stationed in various locations, including Omaha, Bismarck, and Atlanta.”
