Tornadoes tore through parts of Nebraska and Iowa on Friday, leveling dozens of homes, causing the collapse of an industrial building and injuring at least five people, extending an outbreak of severe weather. It started from the day before.
A tornado hit multiple areas in Nebraska, including Omaha and Waverly, leading to the collapse of an industrial building, injuring at least three people and forcing an emergency response, officials said. wide level.
In Lancaster County, the sheriff’s office responded to an industrial building at Garner Industries around 3 p.m. and found it “almost completely collapsed” with several people trapped inside, Sheriff’s Deputies said. Chief Ben Houchin said.
Three people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, he said, adding that about 70 people were inside when the tornado struck.
The sheriff’s office also received reports of a train derailment in Waverly, Sheriff Houchin said, adding, “They didn’t request any emergency assistance, so we’re hoping it was just no big deal.”
The National Weather Service also has been confirmed on social networks that a tornado had hit western Omaha.
At least two people suffered minor injuries in the tornado, which “destroyed several homes,” Omaha police Chief Todd Schmaderer said in a news conference Friday night.
The airport said passengers were placed in storm shelters for safety, noting that while the terminal was not affected, “several buildings in the General Aviation area on the east side of the property of the airport is still damaged.”
The airport said there were no reports of any injuries, despite social media footage showing it Airports and planes were damaged.
Multiple homes in Elkhorn, Bennington and Waterloo in western Douglas County in Nebraska were severely damaged, county officials said. Officials said people were evacuated but no deaths or serious injuries were reported.
James Davidsaver, director of the Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency in Lincoln, Neb., said “the Waverly community was impacted by severe weather, including a tornado earlier this afternoon.”
Stephanie Fisher, Waverly city manager, said there were no reports of injuries or damage in the city.
“I was told that an out-of-town business between Waverly and Lincoln was hit by a tornado and there were a lot of emergency workers there,” she said.
The Bryan Trauma Center at the Bryan West Campus treated two patients injured in the Lancaster County tornado, hospital spokesman Brad Colee said. He said both are being classified.
Images on social networks from Iowa also showed widespread damage and flattened buildings in Minden, a city more than 100 miles west of Des Moines. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a tornado touched down in Minden but could not provide further information.
More severe weather is possible on Saturday
A widespread threat of dangerous weather remains possible on Saturday, spreading from Texas to Michigan.
Cities such as Oklahoma City, Kansas City and Dallas could experience severe storms. Hail ranging in size from golf balls to baseballs can fall and can cause strong winds.
Risks continue on Sunday
The threat of severe thunderstorms will continue through Sunday, including areas from southeast Texas to western Illinois.
Storms will be a little less likely but there is still some risk of forming and even spawning a few tornadoes, producing quarter-sized hail and destructive winds.
Livia Albeck-Ripka Report contributions.
