PHOTOS: Remembering the Hallam tornado, one of the widest in history, 19 years later

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Exactly 19 years ago, several communities in southeast Nebraska saw one of the largest tornadoes recorded in history.

Based on its maximum width of 2.5 miles, it was the widest tornado ever until the El Reno, Oklahoma, tornado in 2013, which reached a width of 2.6 miles.

The Hallam tornado on May 22, 2004, stayed on the ground for 52 miles, bringing death and destruction.

One death and 38 injuries were reported.

The tornado was ranked an F4 — not an EF-4 — because the Enhanced Fujita scale wouldn’t be used until 2007.

An F4 rating was given to tornadoes with “devastating damage” and winds ranging from 207 to 260 mph.

Vehicles were “tossed like toys,” including one van that was “thrown from the school bus area, landing on the remains of a concession building near the Norris school football field,” the National Weather Service said.

Some of the strongest damage was spotted south and west of Hallam, leaving nothing to many homes but their foundation.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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