Murray, NEB- Multiple tornados hit down in Nebraska and Iowa on Friday,April 26th, but the most destructive storm struck down rural Omaha. Three people were injured in Lancaster County, when a tornado struck down a building with 70 or more people inside.

Omaha wasn’t the only place hit. The others include Elkhorn, Blair, Lincoln, Bennington, and Council Bluffs. More than 100 homes and other structures were torn as the tornado traveled along farmland and into multiple subdivisions

After the tornados residents began sifting through the rubble of their homes. Homes, businesses, industries destroyed. Firefighters worked far into the evening to assure that no one was injured or had died. By Saturday morning the air was filled with the sound of chainsaws. Lumber was laid out in piles, fences and walls knocked over, and trees missing their limbs. Power outages peaked at 10,000, but they had dropped to 4,300 by morning. Nebraska governor Jim Pillan and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds spent Saturday touring the damage and assistance for the damaged communities. In an area of Elkhorn, dozens of newly built and large homes were damaged. At least six houses had the top half ripped off.

The tornado warning was issued in the Omaha area just when students were due to be released from school. Many schools had student shelter in place until the storm passed.

We hope that the recovery for these families is quick and safe. We will continue to keep them in our prayers.