Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS North Platte, NE
Issued by NWS North Platte, NE
918 NOUS43 KLBF 271720 PNSLBF NEZ004>010-022>029-035>038-056>059-069>071-094-280530- 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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