At local time on Friday (26th), multiple tornadoes swept through the Midwestern states of Nebraska and Iowa in the United States, causing at least 5 injuries.
According to media reports, earlier in the afternoon in Nebraska, strong winds ravaged the plains and southern areas, with the Elkhorn area in Omaha being one of the hardest-hit communities in the state. Local authorities announced during a press conference on Friday that the powerful tornadoes flattened hundreds of houses, and firefighters are currently searching for trapped or injured individuals.
According to the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), in the building collapses that occurred in Nebraska, a total of 5 people were injured and taken to hospitals. The tornado caused the local airport to temporarily close, power outages in certain areas, natural gas leaks, and train derailments.
Videos from the area show the tornado moving forward, lifting objects around it, flipping and severely damaging cars, and toppling trees.
Meanwhile, in nearby Iowa, according to the National Weather Service, the small town of Minden also experienced a large tornado. Video footage from the scene shows buildings destroyed and debris scattered everywhere.
The risk of tornadoes and other severe events in the central and southern United States is increasing. The Meteorological Forecast Center has warned that tornadoes are appearing in vast regions from the Midwest to the South. The threat of severe weather is expected to continue until Sunday, with Saturday possibly being the most dangerous day. Strong tornadoes could occur from Michigan to Texas, including cities like Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Dallas, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Austin.
The United States is currently in the midst of tornado season. In a normal year, tornado outbreaks increase from April, with the highest occurrences in May and June. In June last year, a tornado in southern Texas destroyed numerous homes and buildings, resulting in at least 3 deaths and over 50 injuries.