Tornado in Buffalo County, Nebraska

While the tornado south of Elm Creek was in the process of dissipating, a second tornado formed approximately 1 mile west of Elm Creek. This multi-vortex tornado moved east into town, and caused widespread damage, before making a sharp turn to the north and dissipating approximately 4 miles north of Elm Creek. Much of the damage occurred to trees, however several homes received damage, including major roof damage to homes in both the north and south parts of Elm Creek. Outbuildings were also destroyed in the northwest part of town. One non-life threatening injury occurred to a man whose semi-truck was tipped on its side by the tornado. The maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 120 MPH.

This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that touched down in Kearney County, north of Minden. This tornado was typical for the day, likely intermittent with regard to ground circulation and impacting rural areas. Much of the path damage can be traced to center irrigation pivots either partially or fully overturned. The tornado damaged a couple power poles and peeled back some roofing material at the Rowe Sanctuary. A measured wind gust 83 MPH was recorded at the sanctuary as the storm passed. Damage was a bit sparse north of the river. The tornadic circulation likely crossed Interstate 80 about three miles west of the Gibbon interchange before knocking over a couple more pivots and lifting just southwest of Gibbon. The maximum estimated speed of 85 MPH was based upon the measured wind gust at the sanctuary and damage to nearby power poles.

This tornado is a continuation of the tornado that touched down east of Lowell in Kearney County and traveled north-northeast across the Platte River into Buffalo County, lifting near Shelton. Damage was sparse, but a few center irrigation pivots and minor tree damage was found. The tornadic circulation likely crossed Interstate 80 about 2.5 miles west of the Shelton interchange. The tornado moved across one farmstead where a garage was completely destroyed. Minor tree damage was also noted. The damage to the garage was the primary basis for the 80 MPH maximum wind speed estimate. The tornado tipped one more pivot before lifting just northeast of the farmstead.