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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service North Platte NE
1220 PM CDT Thu Jun 27 2024 /1120 AM MDT Thu Jun 27 2024/

...NWS Damage Survey for the June 25, 2024 Grant County, Nebraska
Tornado - Initial Assessment...

.Overview...

The Damage survey for the June 25, 2024 Whitman tornado is
ongoing, and the following data is preliminary. Additional
adjustments to the tornado track are likely. Furthermore, another
tornado may be added in the days ahead.

A supercell thunderstorm developed over western Cherry County
during the mid-evening hours of Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The
supercell quickly strengthened and produced very large hail as it
dropped to the south southeast into Grant County producing a
tornado. Just to the south of Whitman, the tornado rapidly
intensified and impacted a farmstead. The tornado was strong and
severely damaged several homes on the farmstead. One person was
injured. The tornado continued to the south southeast through
Grant County and moved into far southwest Hooker County. The NWS
North Platte Survey team will now focus our efforts south of
Hooker County into McPherson County where evidence strong suggests
the tornado continued.

Historically speaking, this is the first strong tornado to impact
Grant County, Nebraska in more than 70 years. The official tornado
database goes back to 1950.

NWS North Platte would like to extend our sincere thanks to
emergency management, first responders, storm spotters, and those
who have reached out to share images and storm reports. Our hearts
are with all those impacted by this long track tornado, especially
those at the farmstead in Grant County.

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Please note that the damage survey continues, and changes to the
path length are anticipated.

.Grant County Tornado...

Rating:  EF-3
Estimated Peak Wind: 160 mph
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 1

Storm Survey:

This tornado caused damage to trees just south of the Cherry and
Grant County line in northwest Nebraska. The tornado continued
south southeast through the community of Whitman, causing tree
damage throughout town. Just South of Whitman, the tornado rapidly
intensified and caused extensive damage to a farmstead. Several
building were destroyed, including significant damage to two
primary homes.

The tornado continued south southeast over open rangeland, though
damage to trees and fence lines was evident along its path. Once
entering far southwest Hooker County, the tornado rolled a small
grain bin and flipped several pivots. The damage survey was ended
at this point, but will continue in the coming days.


&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak.....65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak.....86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong...111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong...136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent..166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent..>200 MPH

Note:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

Jacobs