Remembering the Arbor Day outbreak in Nebraska almost one year later
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Almost one year ago, an outbreak of tornadoes in Nebraska would become known as the Arbor Day Outbreak.
Seeing that day through the eyes of many still leaves the feeling of awe that only some injuries came from large tornadoes in Nebraska.
Nebraska has only had three years in history with over 100 tornadoes, and 2024 was one of them.
Close to 20 tornadoes touched down across the state, including multiple significant and long-track tornadoes.
The historic Arbor Day Outbreak brought many significant tornadoes to Nebraska, including:
- EF-4 Elkhorn-Bennington-Blair tornado
- EF-3 Lincoln-Waverly tornado
- EF-3 Eppley tornado
- EF-3 Elba tornado (central Nebraska)
EF-4 Elkhorn-Bennington-Blair tornado
A large and destructive tornado tore through very populated areas surrounding Omaha – namely Elkhorn, Bennington and Blair. This tornado was later upgraded to the EF-4 rating after the fact.
Maximum winds were estimated to have peaked at 170 mph as it did extensive and unrecognizable damage to over 32 miles of land and property, including a Cargill plant, Junkstock Farm and numerous homes.
The maximum width of the tornado grew to be over a mile wide while causing injuries to four. Below is some of the destruction left behind as houses were flattened and trees were stripped bare of bark and branches.
EF-3 Lincoln-Waverly tornado
Here at home in Lincoln, a tornado first touched down near 84th and Havelock Streets on the northeast side of town closer to 3 p.m. that Friday afternoon.
That twister wiped out an industrial building in its path, leaving three injured..
Incredible footage was captured from a vehicle in the parking lot as the tornado ripped through the building.
It also went on to flip train cars off the tracks as well. Maximum winds were estimated at 158 mph while being on the ground for over five miles.
The moment that tornado touched down was aired live on Channel 8 from our tower camera as Chief Meteorologist Rusty Dawkins provided coverage.
The video of his reaction made “World News Tonight.”
Hundreds, if not thousands, of photos and videos of the twisters were posted on the NOW Local News App.
EF-3 Eppley tornado (crossed into Iowa)
Ground circulation was noted from this tornado first touching down toward 35th and Broadway in Council Bluffs, but then video evidence helped to show the tornado as it occurred on the southeast side of the Eppley Airfield runway system.
The tornado destroyed several aircraft hangers and flipped several untethered aircraft, causing EF-2 damage to Eppley before moving on into Iowa and causing EF-3 damage at a residence south of Crescent, Iowa (as seen below).
EF-3 Elba tornado (central Nebraska)
Initially narrow, this tornado started south of Farwell and eventually turned into a large EF-3 tornado.
Irrigation pivots were overturned before gaining significant strength as the tornado emerged onto the North Loup River Valley, just west of Elba.
A farmstead then sustained heavy damage to a home, outbuildings and vehicles.
A well-built metal building structure was demolished (as seen above) along with extensive damage to the nearby home with the strongest winds estimated at 145 mph.
TORNADOES ARE RATED BASED ON DAMAGE INDICATORS WITH MORE DETAILS HERE:
For more on that day, visit this interactive link from the National Weather Service of Omaha.
Meteorologist Jessica Blum
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