Overview of the Omaha Tornadoes
Destructive tornadoes tore through Omaha, a suburb in Nebraska and Iowa, causing significant damage to hundreds of homes and structures as they swept through farmland.
Impact of the Tornadoes
- Three people were injured as a result of the tornadoes.
- Multiple tornadoes were seen in at least five US states.
- The most destructive storm moved from rural areas into the suburbs northwest of Omaha.
- 19 severe squalls and 45 hailstorms were reported following the major weather event.
Damage and Rescue Efforts
Social media posts showed destroyed homes and toppled trees in rural areas near Omaha due to storms. Roads were blocked by law enforcement. Many houses in Omaha, especially in the Elkhorn area, were damaged. Police and firefighters searched door-to-door to help those trapped. Emergency vehicles rushed to the affected areas as residents described the tornado’s impact as devastating.
Personal Accounts
Witnesses described the tornado touching down and causing destruction. One eyewitness, Pat Woods, shared, “We watched it touch down like 200 yards over there, and then we took shelter. We could hear it coming through. When we came up, our fence was gone, and we looked to the northwest and the whole neighborhood was gone.”
Rescue and Recovery
Three people, including a child, were in the basement when the tornado hit their destroyed house, but they escaped safely. Only two people with minor injuries were taken for treatment. Emergency services were actively involved in rescue operations.
Further Developments
After moving through the airport, the tornado crossed the Missouri River into Iowa, north of Council Bluffs. Forecasters issued tornado warnings for parts of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas for Saturday, also cautioning about the possibility of large hail and strong winds.
