Tornadoes rip through Omaha and Essex as severe weather sweeps across Nebraska and IowaAt least 15 tornadoes touched down in Iowa and Nebraska on April 17, 2025, as a severe weather system swept through the region. Tornadoes were confirmed in Omaha, Nebraska, and Essex, Iowa, damaging homes, toppling power lines, and causing significant disruption to local communities.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) received 15 tornado reports across Nebraska and Iowa as a severe weather system moved southward through the state on Thursday, April 17.
Ten tornadoes were reported in Nebraska, while 5 were reported in Iowa. While many other tornadoes have been reported in the region, they are yet to be confirmed by the National Weather Service (NWS).
A tornado touched down in Omaha at around 19:00 local time on Thursday, prompting people to take shelter as the sirens went off. Tornado sirens also went off in Bennington and Elkhorn. At Eppley Airfield, people took cover for about 15 minutes as the storm approached.
For a brief period, the NWS flagged the event as “catastrophic” as it passed through the region and moved eastwards.
Authorities in Douglas and Washington Counties reached the scene to assess the impact and urged citizens to avoid the area between 72nd Street and 78th Street, from Omaha Trace to Dutch Hall Road.
“There are multiple downed power lines, damage to homes, and scattered debris,” the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.