Ulysses, NE Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
Hot Rankings
The chance of earthquake damage in Ulysses is about the same as Nebraska average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Ulysses is higher than Nebraska average and is much higher than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #77
| Ulysses, NE | 0.04 |
| Nebraska | 0.04 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #1
| Ulysses, NE | 0.0000 |
| Nebraska | 0.0000 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #134
| Ulysses, NE | 250.90 |
| Nebraska | 205.07 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 3,850 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Ulysses, NE were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 0 | Blizzard: | 19 | Cold: | 41 | Dense Fog: | 1 | Drought: | 5 |
| Dust Storm: | 2 | Flood: | 252 | Hail: | 1,962 | Heat: | 13 | Heavy Snow: | 24 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 15 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 62 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 1,204 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 0 | Winter Storm: | 123 | Winter Weather: | 20 |
| Other: | 107 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
No volcano is found in or near Ulysses, NE.
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Ulysses, NE.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Ulysses, NE.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 77 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Ulysses, NE.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 6.0 | 2006-09-15 | 2 | 41°06'N / 97°19'W | 41°07'N / 97°18'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Butler |
| Brief Description: A tornado did extensive tree damage and some structual damage throughout the town of Surprise including destroying a mobile home and tearing the roof off of a bar. The tornado was embedded in a larger downburst area that did damage over a 28 square mile area surrounding Surprise according a NWS storm survey. The tornado was rated an F2 in Surprise, where it initially touched down, and then weakened and lifted a few minutes later 1 mile northeast of town. | |||||||||||
| 8.1 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 41°02'N / 97°22'W | 41°02'N / 97°20'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Seward |
| 11.2 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 41°02'N / 97°20'W | 41°26'N / 97°02'W | 30.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Butler |
| 13.8 | 1991-05-16 | 2 | 40°48'N / 97°13'W | 40°58'N / 97°01'W | 11.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Seward |
| 14.2 | 1964-05-05 | 5 | 41°03'N / 97°34'W | 41°21'N / 97°16'W | 25.80 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Polk |
| 14.7 | 1985-05-10 | 2 | 40°53'N / 97°20'W | 0.50 Mile | 400 Yards | 0 | 4 | 2.5M | 0 | Seward | |
| 14.8 | 2001-06-13 | 4 | 40°51'N / 97°05'W | 40°57'N / 96°59'W | 8.00 Miles | 400 Yards | 0 | 2 | 1.0M | 0 | Seward |
| Brief Description: A slow moving tornado tracked from south of Seward to just east of town with a total track length of 8 miles. The tornado was caught on film by several chasers. The tornado destroyed an entire farmstead and a propane and anhydrous ammonia tank farm and machine shed. Several vehicles were tumbled and tossed into a field across from the farm house. The tornado was at its maximum intensity at the farmstead it destroyed. Northeast of highway 34 the tornado struck several sheds and barns. | |||||||||||
| 15.0 | 1957-06-15 | 2 | 40°47'N / 97°14'W | 40°56'N / 97°04'W | 13.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Seward |
| 15.1 | 1975-06-15 | 3 | 41°21'N / 97°57'W | 40°45'N / 97°02'W | 63.20 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Nance |
| 16.0 | 1957-06-21 | 3 | 40°54'N / 97°28'W | 40°54'N / 97°21'W | 5.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | York |
| 19.0 | 1964-05-23 | 2 | 40°50'N / 97°13'W | 40°46'N / 97°05'W | 7.90 Miles | 60 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Seward |
| 19.4 | 1992-06-15 | 3 | 40°46'N / 96°57'W | 40°58'N / 96°57'W | 14.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 1 | 25.0M | 0 | Seward |
| 19.6 | 1970-06-10 | 2 | 41°17'N / 96°57'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Butler | |||
| 20.5 | 1959-08-30 | 2 | 40°55'N / 96°52'W | 4.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lancaster | |
| 20.8 | 1968-07-30 | 2 | 41°10'N / 97°39'W | 41°07'N / 97°32'W | 6.40 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Polk |
| 20.8 | 1992-06-15 | 2 | 41°10'N / 97°35'W | 2.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Polk | |
| 21.8 | 1953-05-09 | 3 | 40°46'N / 97°09'W | 40°46'N / 97°03'W | 4.70 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Seward |
| 22.0 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 40°43'N / 97°42'W | 41°02'N / 97°22'W | 23.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 2 | 25.0M | 0 | York |
| 22.7 | 1992-06-15 | 3 | 40°44'N / 97°07'W | 40°46'N / 97°07'W | 2.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Seward |
| 22.8 | 1957-04-25 | 4 | 40°42'N / 97°14'W | 40°49'N / 96°54'W | 19.00 Miles | 333 Yards | 1 | 8 | 2.5M | 0 | Seward |
| 23.2 | 1957-05-20 | 2 | 40°41'N / 97°15'W | 40°50'N / 96°50'W | 23.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saline |
| 23.7 | 1953-06-07 | 2 | 41°21'N / 97°04'W | 41°25'N / 96°57'W | 6.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Butler |
| 24.8 | 1968-07-30 | 2 | 40°50'N / 97°35'W | 40°50'N / 97°32'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | York | ||
| 25.8 | 1981-04-03 | 2 | 40°52'N / 96°52'W | 40°53'N / 96°42'W | 8.30 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 25.8 | 1954-07-30 | 2 | 40°52'N / 97°37'W | 1.50 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | York | |
| 25.9 | 1962-07-21 | 3 | 41°06'N / 97°47'W | 41°24'N / 97°30'W | 25.20 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Polk |
| 26.2 | 1952-08-13 | 3 | 41°28'N / 97°17'W | 41°26'N / 97°13'W | 3.30 Miles | 1300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Colfax |
| 26.6 | 1966-05-22 | 2 | 41°07'N / 96°48'W | 41°10'N / 96°36'W | 10.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Saunders |
| 27.2 | 1952-08-13 | 3 | 41°21'N / 97°10'W | 41°15'N / 96°23'W | 41.10 Miles | 1300 Yards | 0 | 1 | 0K | 0 | Butler |
| 27.2 | 1964-05-05 | 5 | 40°51'N / 97°50'W | 41°03'N / 97°34'W | 19.40 Miles | 880 Yards | 2 | 30 | 2.5M | 0 | York |
| 27.3 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 41°26'N / 97°02'W | 41°27'N / 97°00'W | 4.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Colfax |
| 28.6 | 1964-05-06 | 2 | 41°19'N / 96°48'W | 41°21'N / 96°45'W | 2.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saunders |
| 28.8 | 2001-10-09 | 3 | 41°05'N / 97°50'W | 41°15'N / 97°39'W | 16.00 Miles | 1500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 1.8M | 800K | Polk |
| Brief Description: A strong tornado entered Polk County from Hamilton County. A powerful upper level low pressure system plowing into an unstable airmass triggered widespread severe weather across south-central Nebraska during the late afternoon and evening hours. As many as nine tornadoes were confirmed and many reports of hail were received. The tornado damage was confined to an area located north and east of Grand Island, which included Merrick, Nance, Polk, Greeley, and Hamilton counties. The tornadoes got going west of Marquette. One twister set down in Hamilton county and crossed the Platte River southeast of Chapman. Damage to outbuildings was of most significance. Other tornadoes were reported in the Marquette area, with one tornado on the ground for 12 miles from south of Marquette to southeast of Hordville. This tornado was rated an F1 and produced minor structural damage to buildings and grain bins at several farms. Power lines were lost and several trees were blown over. Numerous center pivot irrigation systems were damaged. Just before 6 pm CDT, the most damaging tornado of the day developed near the Polk and Hamilton county line, and proceeded northeast across western Polk county, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Storm chaser reports indicated this tornado frequently became multi-vortex in nature and produced a wide swath of damage. Three miles north of Polk, a home was completely ripped from its foundation and blown into some nearby trees. The tornado was rated an F3 at this point. Along its 18 mile path, the tornado damaged over 20 center pivots, and nearly every farmstead in the path of the tornado sustained damage to the home, outbuildings, machinery or grain bins. This tornado lifted southwest of Silver Creek. Just prior to the F3 tornado in Polk county, an F2 tornado was ripping up a farmstead in northern Merrick county. This tornado was responsible for tearing the roof from a home, destroying two large metal outbuildings and damage to a half-dozen vehicles. The tornado moved north and destroyed a barn on the Nance and Merrick county line, but narrowly missed the home. Window and siding damage was noted at the home. Later that evening, one final tornado was reported. This tornado moved from south of Silver Creek to northeast of Silver Creek just before sunset. The tornado clipped the southeast side of town, resulting in damage to the post office, several cars, trees, and 13 residences in town. Fortunately, most of the damage was minor. | |||||||||||
| 30.2 | 1956-06-06 | 2 | 40°44'N / 96°53'W | 40°42'N / 96°51'W | 1.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 3K | 0 | Lancaster |
| 30.4 | 1984-06-12 | 2 | 40°54'N / 96°50'W | 40°54'N / 96°30'W | 20.00 Miles | 150 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lancaster |
| 30.8 | 1998-06-23 | 2 | 41°29'N / 97°18'W | 41°33'N / 97°13'W | 6.00 Miles | 1760 Yards | 0 | 17 | 4.0M | 500K | Platte |
| Brief Description: Two farm houses destroyed. Six farm houses severely damaged. One house blown off foundation. Bar destroyed. Center pivots overturned. Severe crop damage. | |||||||||||
| 31.5 | 1957-04-25 | 4 | 40°35'N / 97°34'W | 40°42'N / 97°14'W | 19.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 31.9 | 1978-05-30 | 2 | 40°37'N / 97°27'W | 40°40'N / 97°24'W | 3.80 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Fillmore |
| 32.0 | 1992-06-15 | 3 | 40°29'N / 97°20'W | 40°44'N / 97°07'W | 19.00 Miles | 500 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Saline |
| 32.4 | 1959-05-20 | 2 | 41°14'N / 96°37'W | 12.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saunders | |
| 32.6 | 1967-06-13 | 2 | 41°59'N / 97°23'W | 41°05'N / 97°17'W | 62.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Stanton |
| 33.4 | 1998-05-15 | 2 | 40°40'N / 97°34'W | 40°41'N / 97°34'W | 4.00 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 750K | 150K | Fillmore |
| Brief Description: Midday thunderstorms spawned a tornado south of York damaging a farmstead significantly. The tornado set down two miles north of Fairmont and was on the ground for seven miles before lifting just east of McCool Junction. The tornado nearly destroyed at least one farmstead and caused damage to power poles and lines and center pivot systems. A semi tractor trailer was overturned three miles southeast of York. The driver sustained minor injuries. The same storm also produced a brief tornado south of Benedict destroying two hog confinement facilities but no hogs were injured. | |||||||||||
| 34.8 | 1965-05-08 | 2 | 41°25'N / 97°21'W | 41°44'N / 97°09'W | 24.00 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Platte |
| 35.2 | 1952-06-26 | 2 | 40°38'N / 96°56'W | 40°35'N / 96°55'W | 2.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Saline |
| 37.5 | 1982-05-20 | 2 | 41°34'N / 97°04'W | 41°37'N / 96°55'W | 5.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Colfax |
| 37.5 | 1953-05-09 | 3 | 40°18'N / 97°27'W | 40°46'N / 97°09'W | 35.70 Miles | 880 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 37.6 | 1998-06-23 | 2 | 41°36'N / 97°04'W | 41°36'N / 96°59'W | 2.70 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Colfax |
| Brief Description: Debris on highway. | |||||||||||
| 38.2 | 1992-06-15 | 2 | 40°54'N / 97°54'W | 0.10 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 38.7 | 1957-04-25 | 4 | 40°49'N / 96°54'W | 41°11'N / 96°02'W | 51.70 Miles | 333 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Lancaster |
| 39.3 | 1952-08-13 | 4 | 41°13'N / 96°35'W | 41°01'N / 96°19'W | 19.40 Miles | 110 Yards | 0 | 20 | 250K | 0 | Saunders |
| 40.2 | 1990-03-13 | 4 | 40°38'N / 97°50'W | 40°43'N / 97°42'W | 15.00 Miles | 440 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25.0M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 40.7 | 1977-05-04 | 3 | 41°36'N / 97°08'W | 41°43'N / 97°07'W | 7.60 Miles | 200 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Colfax |
| 40.9 | 1982-05-20 | 2 | 41°37'N / 96°55'W | 41°37'N / 96°52'W | 2.00 Miles | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Dodge |
| 41.0 | 1982-05-26 | 2 | 41°00'N / 97°59'W | 0.80 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Hamilton | |
| 41.3 | 1963-04-28 | 2 | 41°35'N / 97°01'W | 41°40'N / 96°47'W | 13.10 Miles | 300 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Colfax |
| 41.9 | 1988-05-07 | 2 | 41°07'N / 96°28'W | 41°07'N / 96°20'W | 7.00 Miles | 73 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Saunders |
| 42.1 | 2008-05-29 | 2 | 40°51'N / 98°02'W | 40°52'N / 97°53'W | 8.00 Miles | 1000 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20K | 100K | Hamilton |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This tornado started southwest of Aurora and moved southeast. The parent supercell had produced a rear flank downdraft (RFD) that was traveling down Interstate 80. As the tornado interacted with this RFD about a mile north of the Interstate, it rapidly increased in size and strength and started to move eastward. At this point the tornado damaged several homes and brought down a self standing cell tower. One home along Highway 14 sustained considerable damage. The tornado then moved to the northeast and dissipated just southwest of the village of Hampton. To the west of Hampton, several empty rail cars were blown off the tracks by what appeared to be inflow winds into the tornado. A major high voltage power line was brought down by the tornado as well as many power lines and poles in the rural areas. Also many center pivot irrigation systems were blown over along the tornadoes path. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A significant severe weather outbreak occurred during the late afternoon and evening of May 29th. Several tornadoes were reported from near Elwood to north of York. Two tornadoes caused damage in the city of Kearney and one occurred just to the south of town. Another tornado damaged homes and power poles near Aurora. Another tornado started in north-central Kansas and entered south-central Nebraska near Hubbell. Very strong winds moved down a portion of Interstate 80 and pushed cars and trucks off of the roadway near Aurora. Other areas of south-central Nebraska received heavy rains and hail. Hail to the size of baseballs was reported near Arapahoe in Furnas County. These storms also produce a lot of rainfall over areas that had fairly wet ground. Several areas of flooding were noted in the Platte and Republican River valleys. | |||||||||||
| 43.6 | 2001-10-09 | 2 | 41°15'N / 98°00'W | 41°17'N / 98°00'W | 3.00 Miles | 350 Yards | 0 | 0 | 300K | 25K | Merrick |
| Brief Description: Tornado crossed from Merrick County into Nance County. A powerful upper level low pressure system plowing into an unstable airmass triggered widespread severe weather across south-central Nebraska during the late afternoon and evening hours. As many as nine tornadoes were confirmed and many reports of hail were received. The tornado damage was confined to an area located north and east of Grand Island, which included Merrick, Nance, Polk, Greeley, and Hamilton counties. The tornadoes got going west of Marquette. One twister set down in Hamilton county and crossed the Platte River southeast of Chapman. Damage to outbuildings was of most significance. Other tornadoes were reported in the Marquette area, with one tornado on the ground for 12 miles from south of Marquette to southeast of Hordville. This tornado was rated an F1 and produced minor structural damage to buildings and grain bins at several farms. Power lines were lost and several trees were blown over. Numerous center pivot irrigation systems were damaged. Just before 6 pm CDT, the most damaging tornado of the day developed near the Polk and Hamilton county line, and proceeded northeast across western Polk county, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Storm chaser reports indicated this tornado frequently became multi-vortex in nature and produced a wide swath of damage. Three miles north of Polk, a home was completely ripped from its foundation and blown into some nearby trees. The tornado was rated an F3 at this point. Along its 18 mile path, the tornado damaged over 20 center pivots, and nearly every farmstead in the path of the tornado sustained damage to the home, outbuildings, machinery or grain bins. This tornado lifted southwest of Silver Creek. Just prior to the F3 tornado in Polk county, an F2 tornado was ripping up a farmstead in northern Merrick county. This tornado was responsible for tearing the roof from a home, destroying two large metal outbuildings and damage to a half-dozen vehicles. The tornado moved north and destroyed a barn on the Nance and Merrick county line, but narrowly missed the home. Window and siding damage was noted at the home. Later that evening, one final tornado was reported. This tornado moved from south of Silver Creek to northeast of Silver Creek just before sunset. The tornado clipped the southeast side of town, resulting in damage to the post office, several cars, trees, and 13 residences in town. Fortunately, most of the damage was minor. | |||||||||||
| 43.7 | 1990-03-13 | 3 | 40°21'N / 97°37'W | 40°37'N / 97°24'W | 23.00 Miles | 180 Yards | 0 | 0 | 2.5M | 0 | Fillmore |
| 44.5 | 1970-07-14 | 2 | 40°29'N / 96°53'W | 40°30'N / 96°47'W | 4.70 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Gage |
| 44.7 | 2004-05-22 | 4 | 40°28'N / 96°53'W | 40°31'N / 96°46'W | 7.00 Miles | 2640 Yards | 0 | 0 | 20.0M | 0 | Gage |
| Brief Description: See description below. This long tracked tornado is often referred to as the Hallam tornado. It initially touched down 3 miles west of Daykin in northern Jefferson county. The tornado was rated an f0 or f1 in Jefferson county damaging farm outbuildings, grain bins and trees. From there the tornado crossed into Saline county southwest of Western and remained an f0 or f1 until it struck the southern portion of Wilber where it strengthened to f2. Roofs were blown off of homes just southeast of Wilber. The tornado traveled from Wilber into Gage county, crossing the county line west of Clatonia where it grew to its most intense stage, f4. The tornado remained nearly at this strength as it crossed into Lancaster county near Hallam with a damage path of around 2 1/2 miles. Many well-built homes were demolished from Clatonia to Hallam, along with grain bins, farm sheds, and outbuildings. Many trees were destroyed or uprooted. Although Hallam itself escaped the strongest winds from the storm, which occurred just south of town, 95 percent of the buildings in town were either destroyed or severely damaged. The lone fatality from the tornado occurred in Hallam. The storm also toppled several hopper cars from a freight train on the west edge of town. In total 55 railroad cars were derailed. From Hallam the tornado traveled east for several miles prior to turning northeast again just north of Cortland. The storm then tracked 2 miles north of Firth, severely damaging the Firth-Norris high school and a nearby middle school. School busses were tossed in this area. Several homes northeast of the schools were flattened as the tornado regained its f4 strength. The damage path continued northeast to Holland and then to 2 miles north of Panama where the tornado weakened to around an f2 and the damage path began to narrow. The track then curved more toward the north, passing just south of Bennet where a few homes sustained f3 damage. After passing south of Bennet, the storm moved back to the northeast and began to weaken to f0 or f1 strength as it crossed into Otoe county southwest of Palmyra. The tornado finally dissipated 1 miles west southwest of Palmyra. In total the tornado was on the ground for around 54 miles with a maximum intensity of f4. Besides the fatality, 38 people sustained injuries, 158 homes were leveled and 57 others were seriously damaged. The dollar amount of damage was estimated at 160 million, with 60 million of that agricultural including 100 cattle and 50 hogs lost. Some 150,000 acres of crop land sustained significant damage. The 5 counties were declared national disaster areas by Fema. | |||||||||||
| 44.9 | 2004-05-22 | 4 | 40°30'N / 96°47'W | 40°41'N / 96°28'W | 19.50 Miles | 4400 Yards | 1 | 30 | 100.0M | 0 | Lancaster |
| Brief Description: See description below. F73PH This long tracked tornado is often referred to as the Hallam tornado. It initially touched down 3 miles west of Daykin in northern Jefferson county. The tornado was rated an f0 or f1 in Jefferson county damaging farm outbuildings, grain bins and trees. From there the tornado crossed into Saline county southwest of Western and remained an f0 or f1 until it struck the southern portion of Wilber where it strengthened to f2. Roofs were blown off of homes just southeast of Wilber. The tornado traveled from Wilber into Gage county, crossing the county line west of Clatonia where it grew to its most intense stage, f4. The tornado remained nearly at this strength as it crossed into Lancaster county near Hallam with a damage path of around 2 1/2 miles. Many well-built homes were demolished from Clatonia to Hallam, along with grain bins, farm sheds, and outbuildings. Many trees were destroyed or uprooted. Although Hallam itself escaped the strongest winds from the storm, which occurred just south of town, 95 percent of the buildings in town were either destroyed or severely damaged. The lone fatality from the tornado occurred in Hallam. The storm also toppled several hopper cars from a freight train on the west edge of town. In total 55 railroad cars were derailed. From Hallam the tornado traveled east for several miles prior to turning northeast again just north of Cortland. The storm then tracked 2 miles north of Firth, severely damaging the Firth-Norris high school and a nearby middle school. School busses were tossed in this area. Several homes northeast of the schools were flattened as the tornado regained its f4 strength. The damage path continued northeast to Holland and then to 2 miles north of Panama where the tornado weakened to around an f2 and the damage path began to narrow. The track then curved more toward the north, passing just south of Bennet where a few homes sustained f3 damage. After passing south of Bennet, the storm moved back to the northeast and began to weaken to f0 or f1 strength as it crossed into Otoe county southwest of Palmyra. The tornado finally dissipated 1 miles west southwest of Palmyra. In total the tornado was on the ground for around 54 miles with a maximum intensity of f4. Besides the fatality, 38 people sustained injuries, 158 homes were leveled and 57 others were seriously damaged. The dollar amount of damage was estimated at 160 million, with 60 million of that agricultural including 100 cattle and 50 hogs lost. Some 150,000 acres of crop land sustained significant damage. The 5 counties were declared national disaster areas by Fema. | |||||||||||
| 44.9 | 1970-06-15 | 2 | 41°26'N / 96°57'W | 41°33'N / 96°08'W | 42.90 Miles | 600 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Butler |
| 45.0 | 2009-03-23 | 2 | 40°37'N / 96°35'W | 40°38'N / 96°34'W | 2.00 Miles | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Lancaster |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: This is the second of 5 cyclic tornadoes that a low-topped supercell thunderstorm produced at it tracked southeast through east of the Lincoln area. This tornado touched down around 2 miles east of Hickman and damaged a house in the area, destroyed some farm outbuildings, took the roof off of a barn and also caused tree damage. EPISODE NARRATIVE: An intense upper level low pressure system tracked from eastern Colorado into southeast South Dakota from March 23rd into March 24th. This caused a surface low pressure system to move from western Nebraska into southeast South Dakota during that time. As the low tracked northeast, a dry-line moved into eastern Nebraska during the afternoon of March 23rd. With surface temperatures in the 60s and 70s, and dewpoint temperatures in the 50s, ample instability was in place to allow a line of severe thunderstorms to develop as the dry-line punched eastward. Several fast moving low-topped supercell thunderstorms were embedded in the line, and one cell produced cyclic tornadoes from southeast of Lincoln into western Iowa. The storms in the line were moving north northeast at 50 to 60 mph. In addition to the severe weather, strong southerly gradient winds prevailed ahead of the low pressure. In some cases the winds gusted between 50 and 65 mph for several hours across parts of eastern Nebraska. | |||||||||||
| 45.3 | 1965-05-08 | 3 | 40°10'N / 97°34'W | 40°43'N / 97°19'W | 40.10 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Thayer |
| 45.3 | 1967-06-13 | 2 | 40°48'N / 98°10'W | 41°00'N / 97°55'W | 18.80 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Hamilton |
| 46.1 | 1957-04-25 | 3 | 40°22'N / 97°57'W | 40°39'N / 97°24'W | 34.70 Miles | 220 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Clay |
| 46.2 | 2004-05-22 | 2 | 40°20'N / 97°17'W | 40°29'N / 96°54'W | 20.00 Miles | 1200 Yards | 0 | 8 | 20.0M | 0 | Saline |
| Brief Description: See description below This long tracked tornado is often referred to as the Hallam tornado. It initially touched down 3 miles west of Daykin in northern Jefferson county. The tornado was rated an f0 or f1 in Jefferson county damaging farm outbuildings, grain bins and trees. From there the tornado crossed into Saline county southwest of Western and remained an f0 or f1 until it struck the southern portion of Wilber where it strengthened to f2. Roofs were blown off of homes just southeast of Wilber. The tornado traveled from Wilber into Gage county, crossing the county line west of Clatonia where it grew to its most intense stage, f4. The tornado remained nearly at this strength as it crossed into Lancaster county near Hallam with a damage path of around 2 1/2 miles. Many well-built homes were demolished from Clatonia to Hallam, along with grain bins, farm sheds, and outbuildings. Many trees were destroyed or uprooted. Although Hallam itself escaped the strongest winds from the storm, which occurred just south of town, 95 percent of the buildings in town were either destroyed or severely damaged. The lone fatality from the tornado occurred in Hallam. The storm also toppled several hopper cars from a freight train on the west edge of town. In total 55 railroad cars were derailed. From Hallam the tornado traveled east for several miles prior to turning northeast again just north of Cortland. The storm then tracked 2 miles north of Firth, severely damaging the Firth-Norris high school and a nearby middle school. School busses were tossed in this area. Several homes northeast of the schools were flattened as the tornado regained its f4 strength. The damage path continued northeast to Holland and then to 2 miles north of Panama where the tornado weakened to around an f2 and the damage path began to narrow. The track then curved more toward the north, passing just south of Bennet where a few homes sustained f3 damage. After passing south of Bennet, the storm moved back to the northeast and began to weaken to f0 or f1 strength as it crossed into Otoe county southwest of Palmyra. The tornado finally dissipated 1 miles west southwest of Palmyra. In total the tornado was on the ground for around 54 miles with a maximum intensity of f4. Besides the fatality, 38 people sustained injuries, 158 homes were leveled and 57 others were seriously damaged. The dollar amount of damage was estimated at 160 million, with 60 million of that agricultural including 100 cattle and 50 hogs lost. Some 150,000 acres of crop land sustained significant damage. The 5 counties were declared national disaster areas by Fema. | |||||||||||
| 46.5 | 1956-06-06 | 2 | 40°33'N / 97°40'W | 40°22'N / 97°28'W | 16.20 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 3 | 250K | 0 | Fillmore |
| 47.4 | 1974-04-20 | 3 | 40°19'N / 97°44'W | 40°36'N / 97°29'W | 23.40 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Nuckolls |
| 47.5 | 1964-06-08 | 2 | 40°24'N / 96°55'W | 40°30'N / 96°43'W | 12.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Saline |
| 48.3 | 1982-06-14 | 2 | 40°24'N / 96°57'W | 0.20 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Saline | |
| 48.7 | 1967-06-09 | 2 | 40°25'N / 96°54'W | 40°28'N / 96°40'W | 12.60 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 2 | 250K | 0 | Gage |
| 49.3 | 1967-06-09 | 2 | 40°18'N / 97°34'W | 40°25'N / 96°54'W | 35.90 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Thayer |
| 49.4 | 1956-04-28 | 3 | 40°15'N / 97°23'W | 40°29'N / 96°42'W | 39.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Jefferson |
| 49.7 | 2009-06-17 | 2 | 40°52'N / 98°10'W | 40°52'N / 98°04'W | 5.00 Miles | 450 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 75K | Hamilton |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A large tornado touched down west of Aurora on Highway 34, then traveled east approximately 5 miles before lifting. In its path, it destroyed a house and several outbuildings, power poles, trees, and overturned about a dozen railcars. The occupants were able to seek shelter before the tornado struck. Numerous storm chasers documented this storm. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Early on in the afternoon, a few scattered thunderstorms developed across eastern portions of South Central Nebraska, with one severe thunderstorm across Thayer County, where quarter to baseball size hail was reported. The main show came later during the early evening hours, after a surface warm front had moved north into the area. Near the front, good instability and shear was present, as was moisture. Scattered thunderstorms developed along the edge of the mid level cap near the surface front, and with the environment present, some became strong to severe. The main storm of the day developed in Buffalo County, then moved east across Hall and Hamilton Counties. In each of these counties, this storm produced a tornado, with the largest occurring in Hamilton County, along Highway 34 near the town of Aurora. This tornado caused EF2 damage to a home in its path, before dissipating a few miles west of Aurora. Other damage caused by this storm included downed power poles and derailed train cars, as well as roof damage to the Iams plant caused by strong inflow winds. Weaker tornadoes were reported on the south side of Grand Island in Hall County, as well as north of Gibbon in Buffalo County, where EF1 damage occurred at a few farmsteads. Penny to tennis ball size hail was also reported across the area, causing damage to crops, with one report of broken house windows in Valley County. | |||||||||||
| 49.9 | 1957-05-20 | 2 | 40°04'N / 97°30'W | 40°42'N / 96°20'W | 75.30 Miles | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 250K | 0 | Thayer |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.