Severe weather ripped through the Midwest on Thursday, unleashing a barrage of tornadoes and giant hail that left communities in Nebraska and Iowa reeling from widespread damage. Eyewitness accounts and official reports paint a picture of homes shredded, vehicles decimated, and power lines downed as the powerful storms swept across the region.
The National Weather Service had issued warnings of dangerous conditions, including "hail up to softball size" and winds reaching 86 mph, but the sheer intensity of the storms appears to have caught many off guard. Fremont, Nebraska, bore the brunt of the hail, with footage emerging of homes "pockmarked" and windows shattered by the immense ice stones. The area around Omaha also suffered significant impact, with reports of a tornado briefly touching down north of the city, compounding the destruction already inflicted by the hail.
KETV NewsWatch 7 crews surveyed the damage across the affected areas, documenting scenes of devastation from north Omaha to western Iowa. Maddie Augustine, reporting from near 78th and Dutch Hall Road north of the Omaha airport, described flattened fields and fences torn asunder, noting that a tornado narrowly missed nearby homes. Douglas County Sheriff's Office Captain Kristopher Peterson confirmed widespread damage, including roof and siding damage, downed trees, and outbuildings "split in half."
The impact extended beyond Omaha. In western Iowa, Pete Cuddihy found downed street signs and overturned trucks, while Cameron McNew, a farmer near Fort Calhoun and Crescent, Iowa, recounted the harrowing experience of a tornado tearing through his family farm – the second such event in just two years. Silos were ripped apart, shingles torn from homes, and debris scattered across farmland, underscoring the raw power of the storms. Despite the setbacks to his planting schedule, McNew expressed relief that his family remained safe.
Bill Schammert, a KETV anchor who chased the storms, witnessed significant hail damage in Randolph, Nebraska, where vehicle windshields were completely destroyed. The widespread damage has prompted calls for residents to remain clear of affected areas as cleanup operations get underway. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office urged the public to avoid the area from 72nd to 84th Street and Omaha Chase Street to Dutch Hall Road to facilitate the ongoing recovery efforts.
Power outages also plagued the region. OPPD reported peak outages affecting approximately 1,200 customers Thursday night. While power restoration efforts are likely underway, the full extent of the damage and the timeline for complete recovery remain uncertain. The National Weather Service is expected to conduct damage assessments in the coming days to officially confirm tornado touchdowns and categorize the storms' intensity.
The severe weather serves as a stark reminder of the destructive force of nature and the importance of heeding weather warnings. As communities begin the arduous process of cleanup and rebuilding, the focus shifts to supporting those affected and ensuring preparedness for future severe weather events. The resilience of the Midwest communities will undoubtedly be tested in the days and weeks ahead as they grapple with the aftermath of these devastating storms.