Tornado destroys four homes in northern Douglas County

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Homeowners are picking up the pieces after a tornado tore through northern Douglas County on Thursday.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the tornado ran a narrow path, but it caused devastating destruction between 72nd and 78th streets from Omaha Trace Street to Dutch Hall Road.

Several homes took significant damage, while trees and powerlines covered long stretches of roads.

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Four homes in the area are now unlivable, while 28 other homes sustained slight roof and structural damage, according to Capt. Kristopher Peterson.

One minor injury was reported, and the person was taken to a local hospital to be treated.

Joe Adams’ home was in the direct path of the tornado, and he said it hit so fast that he didn’t have time to be scared.

“There wasn’t much warning, it just happened,” Adams said. “It’s amazing how fast it can turn you upside-down.”

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Rescue efforts in the area included help from the Irvington Fire Department and the Ponca Fire Department.

The Omaha Public Power District and the Douglas County Engineer’s Office helped clear roads in the area.

For the next several days, Peterson said the sheriff’s office will be patrolling the area to protect residents from looters.

“We won’t be giving any second chances here,” Peterson said. “Please take this as a warning.”

This comes after several destroyed homes in Elkhorn were looted after the tornado outbreak in 2024.

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