At a Glance
- Three people were injured when a roof collapsed on an industrial building in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Homes were ripped apart in the Omaha suburb of Elkhorn, Nebraska.
- Damage was also reported in parts of Iowa, where tornadoes severed gas and power lines.
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A violent tornado outbreak unleashed destruction across the Plains Friday, with forecasters warning more dangerous storms were on their way.
The tornadoes left a path of devastation, leveling homes and structures, blowing a train off its tracks, flipping cars and leaving entire towns in a blackout. In Nebraska's Lancaster County, an industrial building collapsed with 70 people inside, resulting in multiple injuries, though none were life-threatening.
The National Weather Service office in Omaha has deployed five survey teams to collect information across several large damage paths. Two teams have also been dispatched in an area around Des Moines, Iowa.
(MORE: The Latest Severe Weather Forecast)
The small town of Minden, Iowa, was especially hard hit. It sits in Pottawattamie County, about 25 miles northeast of Omaha.
Jeff Theulen, chief deputy of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, said 40 to 50 homes were completely destroyed. Two injuries were reported but were not life-threatening.
School buses were brought in to ferry residents out of town if they needed a ride, Theulen said. Non-residents were asked to stay away due to downed power lines and broken gas pipes.
(MORE: Simple Steps You Need To Be Prepared For Severe Weather
“It’s heartbreaking to see these people who have lost houses, cars, essentially their life,” he said.
Here are our live updates as the storms moved through Friday:
(8:29 p.m. ET) 'The Atmosphere Is Ready To Reload'
The storms are part of a classic springtime weather pattern that includes two rounds of widespread severe weather through the weekend in the Plains and in the Midwest.
From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: A tradeoff between two large-scale storm systems is expected tonight and into Saturday. The first storm that provided tornadoes from Nebraska to Texas on Friday will swing into the Midwest and Canada going into the weekend as a second, potentially stronger system arrives from the Rockies.
Saturday will be another day of tornadoes, hail and flooding across classic tornado alley. The second storm system will continue to bring energy and moisture to the Plains and Midwest into Sunday as well.
Just because storms have passed your area, don't think it is over. The atmosphere is ready to reload. Keep your severe weather plan ready to go this weekend.
(8:15 p.m. ET) Nebraska County Says 'No Volunteers Needed'
People are eager to help, but Douglas County, Nebraska, is saying 'not yet.'
A social media post from the county reads: "We would like to thank people for their urgency to help, but NO volunteers are needed at this time to assist first responders in Douglas County, Nebraska. We will let the public know when volunteers are needed and where they should go!"
(7:53 p.m. ET) More Scenes Of Devastation In Omaha Suburb
(7:23 p.m. ET) 'Thankful That There Weren't More Injuries'
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ben Houchin confirmed a semi was blown over and a train blown off its tracks near Lincoln earlier today.
In an update posted to social media, he confirmed three people sustained non-life threatening injuries in a roof collapse at a local business.
"We are very thankful that there weren't more injuries and everyone is going to be okay," Houchin said.
Earlier, the Sheriff's Office asked people to stay away from Interstate 80 and Highway 6. An update posted about 10 minutes ago by Lancaster County says first responders are still working to clear debris and restore power in the area.
(6:57 p.m. ET) Dangerous Tornado Now Moving Across Western Iowa
A tornado emergency was declared for the town of Minden, Iowa, about 25 miles northeast of Omaha, Nebraska.
Photos showed a tornado moving toward the nearby town of Shelby, Iowa.
(6:53 p.m. ET) Flights Shut Down At Omaha Airport
Omaha's Eppley Airfield closed for damaged assessments after the storm.
"The OMA terminal is unaffected and passengers are out of shelters. Please contact your airline for any flight delays," the airport said in an update.
(6:46 p.m. ET) Power Outages Climbing In Nebraska, Texas
More than 29,000 power outages are being reported in Texas, according to PowerOutage.us. Most are across the eastern portion of the state. About 11,000 outages are being reported in Nebraska, also in the eastern part of the state.
(6:24 p.m. ET) We're In The Peak Of Tornado Season
From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: Mother nature gave us the clearest signal that we're in the peak of tornado season. The springtime clash of heat and humidity brought, so far, numerous tornadoes and at least one that may have stretched for scores of miles. Today's atmosphere may have also supported one of the strongest kinds of twisters in eastern Nebraska. Today is a reminder that all of us should be prepared for severe weather.
(6:18 p.m. ET) Photos Show Extensive Damage Near Omaha
Images shared on social media are showing first glimpses of the damage in Elkhorn, Nebraska, near Omaha.
(6:10 p.m. ET) Dozens Of Reports Of Severe Weather
Tornadoes, wind and hail damage have been reported in the past 36 hours across a wide swath of the U.S. from Wyoming to Arkansas. The worst damage appears to be today in Nebraska around Lincoln and Omaha.
(5:56 p.m. ET) 'Significant Damage' In Nebraska Suburb
Emergency response is still underway in Lancaster County, which includes the city of Lincoln.
"We’re still assessing damage," Lancaster County Emergency Management Director Jim Davidsaver told us minutes ago in a phone call. "The community of Waverly was significantly impacted.”
Waverly is on the northeast side of Lincoln.
Davidsaver said that there are so far several reports of minor injuries, but stressed that emergency efforts are ongoing.
(5:38 p.m. ET) Three People Reported Injured In Lincoln Roof Collapse
A roof collapsed on an industrial building in Lincoln, Nebraska, with 70 people inside, according to local news outlets.
Three people were taken to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, KOLN-TV reported.
The station cited Lancaster County Chief Deputy Ben Houchin as saying the storm hit Garner Industries near North 98th Street and Cornhusker Highway around 3 p.m.
(5:29 p.m. ET) Video Shows Wrecked Houses
Search and rescue efforts are underway in some Omaha suburbs.
Footage aired on The Weather Channel shows heavy damage to homes in the area, including missing roofs and siding.
There are reports that some of the homes are in neighborhoods under construction, but that wasn't immediately clear.
(5:13 p.m ET) Severe Weather Threatens Large Area
Major metropolitan areas most at risk through tomorrow morning include Dallas, Kansas City and Omaha, Nebraska. Parts of Arkansas, Iowa and Oklahoma are also in the threat area. Threats include large hail, destructive straight-line winds and tornadoes.
(5:06 p.m. ET) 'Violent Tornado' Moving Through Nebraska Communities
From the National Weather Service: "A violent tornado continues to impact areas south of Blair, just northwest of the Blair airport."
Blair is about 20 miles northwest of Omaha.
(4:57 p.m. ET) Tornado Emergency In Eastern Nebraska
A tornado is potentially causing devastating damage in eastern Nebraska.
Radar shows a large swath of debris being lofted into the air west of Omaha.
(4:35 p.m. ET) Severe Weather Fires Up
Emergency personnel are responding to an area where a tornado touched down around Lincoln, Nebraska.
"Deputies are on Interstate 80 right now, please avoid the area. Let first responders get to the area," the local county sheriff's office said in a social media post. "Again please stay off the interstate."
Sirens blared around the city as the storm moved through.
Tornadoes touched down this afternoon in central Nebraska near the community of Wolbach, about 35 miles north of Grand Island, and about 50 miles south of Dallas in Blooming Grove, Texas.
About 14,000 power outages were being reported in Texas, mostly in the eastern part of the state, as of 3:30 p.m. EDT, according to PowerOutage.us.
Earlier, a possible tornado was spotted in China Spring, Texas, about 10 miles northwest of Waco and large hail pelted homes near Dallas in Arlington.
Hundreds of flights were delayed at Dallas-area airports, according to airline tracker FlightAware.
A 65-mph wind gust was reported in Pittsburg County in southeast Oklahoma.
This outbreak started yesterday with reports of landspout tornadoes in Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas.
There was also tree and roof damage in parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
