A destructive tornado outbreak with at least 78 tornadoes impacted the U.S. Plains on Friday, April 26, 2024, leaving a trail of damage and more than a dozen injuries. The outbreak occurred as a part of a multi-day severe weather threat covering over 60 million Americans. The threat of EF2 – EF5 tornadoes will continue into Sunday, April 28.
NWS SPC received at least 78 tornado reports — 37 from Iowa, 29 from Nebraska, 5 from Kansas, 4 from Missouri and 3 from Texas, making it the busiest tornado day in the United States in more than a year.
In addition, SPC received 59 large hail reports and 31 strong wind reports.
At 17:26 CST, a tornado caused damage in the China Springs area approximately 8 km (5 miles) south of Gholson, McLennan County, Texas, with reports of tornado pictures confirming the event. By 17:28, another tornado was estimated to be on the ground for about 4 to 5 minutes near Ravenna, 3.2 km (2 miles) north-northeast in Sherman County, Nebraska, which was video confirmed.
At 17:38, Rockville, also in Sherman County, Nebraska, experienced a tornado with initial damage reports, pending further surveys. Shortly afterward, at 17:53, more tornado pictures and reports came from the area 6.4 km (4 miles) east of West, north of Tours to Penelope in McLennan County, Texas.
In Nebraska, Howard County witnessed a tornado at 17:58, 1.6 km (1 mile) south of Farwell, reported by a fireman, moving north/northeast. This was followed by another confirmed tornado at 18:14, 3.2 km (2 miles) north-northwest of Elba, with multiple reports indicating its presence west and north of Elba.
Navarro County, Texas, experienced a tornado at 18:37, 11.3 km (7 miles) south-southeast of Frost near FM 477 in the Brushie Prairie area.
Lancaster County, Nebraska, had a flurry of tornado activity starting at 19:43 near the Kawasaki Plant, 8 km (5 miles) northwest of Lincoln, followed by more near Lincoln and Waverly, with one causing significant house damage at 19:53, 1.6 km (1 mile) northwest of Waverly.
The tornado outbreak continued across Douglas, Boone, Butler, and Woodson Counties in Nebraska and Kansas, with tornadoes reported near populated areas and causing damage to houses and other structures.
Notably, at 20:43, 4.8 km (3 miles) south of New Albany, Wilson County, Kansas, a tornado was video confirmed, and by 20:45, a large tornado was moving into western Elkhorn, Douglas County, Nebraska.
Significant tornado activity was also reported in Iowa, with one report at 21:56 near Pacific Junction, Mills County, indicating a tornado on the ground.
This activity peaked with multiple homes being destroyed and significant damage near Shelby, Shelby County, Iowa, at 22:45 and 22:50.
This outbreak extended into the early hours of April 27, affecting more areas in Iowa, with a notable tornado at 01:54, 6.4 km (4 miles) northwest of Pleasant Hill, Polk County, causing structural damage to a home and potentially resulting in injuries.
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