More than a dozen destructive tornadoes tore through many residential buildings in small communities in Nebraska and Iowa, causing severe damage and multiple injuries.
On Friday, April 26, 2024, storms watchers, along with the National Weather Service, predicted the possibilities of potential tornado activity as storms brewed through the Great American Plains states. Cooler temperatures from the East and hot dry temperatures from the West, came together to form an unbalance of barometric and air pressure, resulting in tornadoes. These tornadoes, along with rain and hailstorms, affected states from Texas to Nebraska. The National Weather Service is providing forecasts for severe weather risks over the weekend, indicating continued tornado activity on Saturday and finishing of with less severe storm activity on Sunday.
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Nebraska and Iowa were the two most hardest-hit states impacted by the tornadoes and storms. According to the National Weather Service, there have been 100 tornado reports throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, Iowa, and Nebraska. The hardest-hit area occurred in Omaha, Nebraska, in the small town of Elkhorn. Local authorities reported a powerful tornado leveled homes, burying it’s inhabitants underneath the rubble. Search and rescue teams were dispatched to assist in recovering anyone trapped underneath the debris.
The Latest Happenings:
- Four residents in Iowa’s Pottawattamie County suffered injuries connected to the storm. All are receiving medical treatment and are in good condition.
- Over 100 homes and businesses were damaged in Pottawattamie County, home to about 90,000 residents.
- Several others injured in Elkhorn area due to tornado activity. All are in to be in good condition.
- In Lincoln, Nebraska, a tornado flipped over several cars of a derailed train.
- The governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation, with a potential possibility of a presidential disaster declaration in the works.
What to Expect Saturday
Today’s Forecast for Severe Storms
This map shows where the National Weather Service has identified elevated risks of severe weather, which may include thunderstorms, hailstorms, high winds, and tornadoes
Over 50 million people are under severe weather threat Saturday from the Southern Great Plains into the Great Lakes region.
Storm and tornado activity is expected to ramp-up within the afternoon to late evening.
A Look Into Sunday
sunday’s Forecast for Severe Storms
This map shows where the National Weather Service has identified elevated risks of severe weather, which may include thunderstorms, hailstorms, high winds, and tornadoes
Strong gusts of wind is still possible with some moderate rainfall expected throughout the Great Plains region.
Storm and tornado activity may be scattered, isolated, or non-severe. Communities should still prepare for the unexpected.