Violent tornadoes that slammed parts of the Plains Friday tore homes apart, blew a train off its tracks, flipped cars and left several people injured.
Some of the most significant damage was reported in Nebraska, specifically in an Omaha suburb and areas around Lincoln. The full extent of the damage or any injuries wasn’t immediately clear Friday night.
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 the Midwest.
From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles: A tradeoff between two large-scale storm systems is expected tonight and Saturday. The first storm that provided tornadoes from Nebraska to Texas on Friday will swing into the Midwest and Canada on the weekend as a second, potentially stronger system arrives from the Rockies.
Saturday will be another day of tornadoes, hail, and flooding across Classical Tornado Alley. The second storm system will continue to bring energy and moisture to the Plains and Midwest into Sunday as well.
Don’t think it is over just because storms have passed your area. The atmosphere is ready to reload. Keep your severe weather plan ready to go this weekend.
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 inform the public when volunteers are needed and where they should go!”
