Friday April 26, 2024: 5 Tornadoes Impact Portions Of South Central Nebraska

Summary:

This tornado was the first of the day, and started near the ethanol plant east of Ravenna in Buffalo County, where minor damage occurred on a catwalk. The tornado moved north-northwest during its life cycle. The most significant damage was at a residence in southern Sherman County, where outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. The tornado was rated an EF1 with an estimated peak wind speed of 90 MPH, based on damage to a power pole and the outbuildings. The tornado faded away on or very near State Highway 68 about 3 miles north of Ravenna in Sherman County.

Summary:

The same supercell spawned a 2nd tornado in Sherman County, this time starting out south of Rockville. The tornado was first sighted in a field, after which it moved north and crossed the Middle Loup River. The tornado caused EF1 rated damage to a home and damaged outbuildings just south of town. The tornado moved north along the east edge of Rockville and damaged trees, a couple of grain bins, and outbuildings. It continued to move north roughly along Rockville Road and snapped several power poles. Based upon reports, the tornado likely dissipated in open country about 4 miles north of town. The EF1 rating and estimated peak wind speed of 105 MPH was based upon the snapped power poles north of town.

Summary:

Initially narrow, this tornado started south of Farwell based on eyewitness reports, and would eventually turn into a large EF3 rated tornado. This was the strongest tornado to impact the NWS Hastings coverage area for this event.

The tornado moved across rural areas north of Farwell, causing tree damage and overturning irrigation pivots. As the tornado emerged onto the North Loup River Valley just west of Elba, it gained significant strength.

Just west of Elba, a farmstead sustained heavy damage to a home, outbuildings, and vehicles. A well built metal building structure was demolished along with extensive damage to the nearby home. Based on damage indicators, this location was deemed to have the strongest winds, estimated at 145 MPH. 

The tornado was estimated to be around 600 yards wide as it crossed Highway 11 just northwest of Elba. A long stretch of power poles were knocked down along Odell Road. The tornado eventually navigated across the North Loup River about 2.5 miles north of town.

At this point, the tornado moved onto pasture ground. Based upon radar data, timing and lack of solid damage indicators, the tornado likely weakened as it moved north. However, this also started the process for the next tornado to form to its east near Wolbach.

Summary:

Over a roughly 10-minute period, during which the parent supercell did not move much, a 4th tornado formed in northern Howard County. This tornado would eventually grow into the widest tornado of the event in the NWS Hastings forecast area, at least 1/2 mile wide.

This tornado was rated an EF2 with estimated peak wind speeds of 135 MPH based on metal power pole damage just west of the Highway 281/22 junction near Wolbach. The tornado had previously destroyed a metal building to the southwest, and would go on to destroy a couple of wood-framed outbuildings to the northeast of Highway 281. The south edge of the tornado likely passed just north of the Highway 281/22 junction. It was in this general area and along the Howard/Greeley County line that the tornado was at least 1/2 mile wide.

The tornado marched northeast, causing damage to at least one residence, outbuildings, trees, and irrigation pivots.

As the supercell slowed down north of Wolbach, this tornado likely diminished (damage was sparse and much less severe) and the supercell began the process of developing yet another tornado to the east.

Summary:

This tornado started about 4 miles northeast of Wolbach in Greeley County and was associated with the parent supercell that had previously produced 2 other tornadoes.

In Greeley County, damage was confined mainly to irrigation pivots and trees. The tornado moved northeast mostly over open country and crossed the Boone County line along Highway 56.

In Boone County, the tornado caused minor damage to a home on a farmstead at the county line, along with quite a bit of tree damage in the general area. The tornado moved north and appeared to strengthen some as it flipped and tossed several irrigation pivots north of Highway 56. Power poles were snapped and debris was lifted into power lines.

As the tornado moved north-northeast, the most significant damage was found about 2 miles southwest of Primrose. A single-family home was extensively damage, including the 3-car garage being totally ripped away along with much of the roof structure. Several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed. Extensive tree damage was noted and numerous power poles were snapped in the area. Tree damage was widespread west of Primrose and one large outbuilding was destroyed.

In its final few miles, the tornado damaged trees and irrigation pivots in several places. Extensive damage to a livestock facility and several snapped power poles were noted about halfway between Petersburg and Primrose. The tornado likely dissipated in open country as it approached the Beaver Creek southwest of Petersburg.

The widest point of the tornado appeared to occur just to the west-southwest of Primrose when it may have been at least 500 yards wide. The EF2 rating was based upon the damage that occurred at the home southwest of Primrose.