Updated Apr 27, 2024, 06:36 IST
Multiple tornadoes ripped through several counties in Nebraska and Iowa Friday, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Suburban Omaha was worst hit. Hundreds of homes and other structures were damaged. While injuries were reported, it remains unclear if there were any fatalities. The Omaha Public Power District reported that over 10,000 customers were without power in the affected area.
Multiple tornadoes in Omaha, Nebraska
Multiple tornadoes ripped through several counties in Nebraska and Iowa Friday, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Suburban Omaha was worst hit. Hundreds of homes and other structures were damaged. While injuries were reported, it remains unclear if there were any fatalities. The Omaha Public Power District reported that over 10,000 customers were without power in the affected area.
Following the tornadoes, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for numerous counties in Nebraska and Iowa. The affected counties in Nebraska include Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington. In Iowa, the impacted counties are Mills and Pottawattamie.
Photos and videos shared on social media showed damaged homes and shredded trees in rural area near Omaha. Police Lt. Neal Bonacci said hundreds of homes sustained damage in Omaha, mostly in the Elkhorn area. Authorities were going door-to-door helping those who trapped.
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Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman said, “They’re going to be putting together a strategic plan for a detailed search of the area, starting with the properties with the most damage.”
“We’ll be looking throughout properties in debris piles, we’ll be looking in basements, trying to find any victims and make sure everyone is rescued who needs assistance,” he added.
Meanwhile, another tornado passed directly through parts of Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, resulting in aircraft operations being halted.
“A tornado touched down at Eppley Airfield this evening. Prior to the tornado, passengers within the terminal were placed in storm shelters for safety. The airport was closed upon touchdown of the tornado at 5:08 pm. Although the passenger terminal was unaffected, A number of buildings in the General Aviation area on the east side of airport property sustained damage. There were no reports of injuries. Eppley Airfield was reopened to aircraft operations at 5:59 pm. of their flights,” a post shared on Eppley Airfield’s official X handle stated.
Meanwhile, a tornado also hit the Garner Industries located in Lancaster County. Lancaster County Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said at least three people sustained injuries after the building collapsed with several people trapped inside. All the injured were taken to area hospitals and were expected to make a full recovery.
