State history
Tornadoes in Nebraska
Nebraska averages 57 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 57 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: May-June.
- Population and vulnerability considerations.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1975 Omaha F4 — 3 dead.
- 1978 Nebraska outbreak — multiple events.
- 1980 Grand Island tornadoes — 5 dead, 7 tornadoes.
- 2004 Hallam F4 — 1 dead.
- 2014 Pilger EF4 twins — famous photographed pair.
- 2019 outbreak — multiple events.
- 2024 outbreaks — various events.
Major cities
Omaha metro
1M+. Multiple events.
Lincoln
300k. Multiple events.
Grand Island
50k. 1980 event legacy.
Bellevue
60k. Metro Omaha.
Kearney
35k. Central NE.
North Platte
Western NE.
Scottsbluff
Panhandle.
NWS coverage
NWS Omaha
Eastern NE.
NWS North Platte
Central NE.
NWS Cheyenne WY
Panhandle.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Multi-state coordination.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Community involvement.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
- Emergency contact list.
Vulnerabilities
- Population distribution.
- Building code enforcement.
- Mobile home density in specific areas.
- Community shelter access.
- Rural coverage gaps.
- Historical vulnerabilities.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.
- Ongoing education.