US: Authorities responding to tornado damage in parts of Iowa and Nebraska overnight April 26-27

Response operations are ongoing after several large tornadoes touched down in parts of Iowa and Nebraska overnight April 26-27.

In Iowa, the city of Minden in Pottawattamie County, around 161 km (100 miles) west of Des Moines in Polk County, was the worst affected. Several buildings sustained notable damage, and the town is dealing with significant power outages and gas leaks. Reports indicate that two people were injured. A Proclamation of Disaster Emergency is in effect for Pottawatamie County to support recovery efforts in Minden.

In Nebraska, worst-affected areas include Omaha in Douglas County and Waverly in Lancaster County, where tornadoes have caused power outages, gas leaks, fallen trees, and damaged buildings. Three people were injured in Lancaster County when an industrial building collapsed. Officials state that many homes in Elkhorn, Bennington, and Waterloo in western Douglas County also sustained significant damage. The Omaha Public Power District has said that around 10,000 customers were without power in the Omaha area as of early April 27. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield was temporarily closed April 26 after some planes and hangars were damaged but has since reopened. A train was derailed near Waverly after a tornado struck it.

In the affected areas, disruptions to ground travel, business operations, and electricity will likely persist for several days or weeks. Curfews are probable.