Tornadoes threaten Essex, Iowa and Omaha as storms sweep region

A wave of severe storms swept across southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska Thursday evening, spawning at least tornadoes and leaving a trail of damage in communities like Essex, Iowa, and the Omaha metro area.

Tornado warnings blared across Omaha and surrounding counties as the National Weather Service tracked multiple tornadoes. In Fremont County, Iowa, a tornado was confirmed near Randolph around:2 p.m., followed by another that struck four miles west of Essex, damaging outbuildings, trees, and power poles. Hail up to.7 inches in diameter was reported in the area, and wind gusts reached up to mph as the storm moved into Page County.

Omaha also faced tense moments as a tornado touched down near Eppley Airfield. Travelers and airport staff were rushed to tornado shelters as the storm approached, with dramatic footage showing the twister north of the city and hailstones as large as baseballs pelting the region. The National Weather Service briefly issued a rare Tornado Emergency for parts of Iowa, including Essex, as twin tornadoes threatened Yorktown and Imogene.

By Friday morning, power outages and scattered debris were reported in Essex, while emergency crews assessed the damage and began cleanup efforts. The severe weather threat is expected to shift eastward, but residents are urged to stay alert as more storms could develop through the weekend.