In the aftermath of several devastating tornadoes in Lancaster County and eastern Nebraska Friday afternoon Governor Jim Pillen has ordered that state resources be made available to assist with the emergency response and to support local first responders as they assess the damage.
“Suzanne and I extend our deepest prayers to all those impacted by today’s storms,” Pillen says. “Nebraskans are tough, resilient people, and our neighbors and communities will rally around affected families and businesses to assist them. Nebraskans are no strangers to severe weather and, as they have countless times before, Nebraskans will help Nebraskans to rebuild.”
Pillen says he and his team are in continuous touch with local officials, emergency management directors and law enforcement leaders. “People in affected areas are urged to avoid downed powerlines and follow all law enforcement directives as work continues to assess the damage.”
One of those tornadoes ripped through Garner Industries near 98th and Cornhusker between Lincoln and Waverly around 3:00. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ben Houchin says 70 workers were inside at the time and three suffered minor injuries.
Tornadoes also did major damage in several Omaha area communities, including Elkhorn, Blair and Bennington. Some buildings at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield were also damaged.
