On Friday, a tornado swept through suburban Omaha, Nebraska, causing extensive damage to hundreds of homes and other structures.
On Friday, several tornadoes struck Nebraska and Iowa, with the most devastating storm moving from rural regions into the suburbs northwest of Omaha, a city with a population of 485,000.
In Omaha, hundreds of homes suffered damage, primarily concentrated in the Elkhorn neighborhood in the city's western region, according to Omaha police Lt.
Neal Bonacci. Police and firefighters conducted door-to-door checks to assist residents. Omaha Fire Chief Kathy Bossman stated that crews targeted the "hardest hit area" and implemented a comprehensive search plan to locate any individuals potentially trapped.
"They will develop a strategic plan for conducting a thorough search of the area, beginning with properties that have suffered the most damage," Bossman explained.
"We will search through debris piles, inspect basements, and thoroughly examine properties to locate any victims and ensure everyone needing assistance is rescued."
Two individuals injured in the county were admitted to the trauma center at Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln, as stated in a press release by the facility.
The hospital mentioned that the patients were undergoing triage, with no further information provided regarding their condition.
"The rain began, followed by hail, and then the clouds started swirling and converging. As soon as the wind intensified, I headed for the basement, but we never actually witnessed it," Fienhold explained.
The forecast for Saturday appeared ominous as the Weather Service issued tornado watches for portions of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Forecasters cautioned about the potential for large hail and strong wind gusts.
"It seems like there will be another significant outbreak tomorrow," Kern remarked. "Possibly extending slightly farther south."