Remembering the Hallam tornado, 20 years later

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On this day exactly two decades ago, a deadly tornado would haunt Hallam residents and alter their way of life.

The environment on that day was very supportive for an outbreak of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms across east-central and southeast Nebraska. In addition to the tornadoes that occurred, hail up to 4″ in diameter was observed.

Five counties in Nebraska – Jefferson, Saline, Gage, Lancaster and Otoe – would be considered national disaster areas by FEMA.

The tornado was ranked an F4 — not an EF-4 — because an update to what we now know as the Enhanced Fujita scale would happen until 2007. But an F4 meant that wind speeds were estimated at 207 – 260 mph.

It first touched down north of Daykin and would intensify, growing wider – becoming the widest tornado in U.S. history until El Reno in 2013. It stayed on the ground for 52 miles, bringing death to one and destruction to many.

After Hallam, the tornado path would end just west of Palmyra. In its wake, estimated damage amounted to $160 million. Sixty million was estimated from the loss of one hundred cattle and 50 hogs alone.

Approximately 150,000 acres of crop land was also ripped apart, “sustaining significant damage” according to the National Weather Service.

Besides one fatality, 38 were also injured during this tornado. Over 150 homes were leveled with another 57 severely damaged.

Many will never forget this day, now looking back 20 years later. The community of Wilber will remember the tornado strengthening to an F2 as roofs were blow off on the southeast side of town. But its most intense stage happened as many well-built homes were demolished.

The storm toppled hopper cars from a freight train on the west side of Hallam. Then, Norris schools north of Firth received severe damage to a middle school auditorium as a roof collapsed and walls caved in. Several homes were left flattened while school busses were tossed (as seen below).

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.

On this heavy occasion, our thoughts are with those of Hallam and those affected still to this day.

Meteorologist Jessica Blum 
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