One Of The Worst Disasters In U.S. History Happened Right Here In Nebraska
We’re no strangers to tornadoes here in Nebraska; many of us are seasoned armchair meteorologists and spend every tornado season analyzing weather patterns. But there are a few storms that really stand out in our history. The tornado that ripped through southeastern Nebraska in 2004 was one of the largest and most destructive on record.
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By the time the storms neared Daykin, there was strong rotation that rapidly turned into an enormous tornado. It varied in strength as it moved northeast, but it reached F4 status several times. The winds reached speeds of up to 200 MPH.
These videos show the terrifying, incredible power of this natural disaster. At its peak, the Hallam tornado reached a whopping 2.5 miles across. Until a 2014 storm in Oklahoma, the Hallam storm was the widest tornado on record.
![](https://oiys-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2004_Hallam_tornado_damage_Lancaster_County_Nebraska_USA.jpg?w=720)
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This incredible tornado remains the second-widest ever recorded, and it left several communities picking up the pieces for many years.
Do you remember where you were when the massive tornado struck in 2004? Share your stories in the comments section.
For more of Nebraska’s most serious disasters, read this article from the archives.
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