One of the worst severe weather outbreaks in recent years struck south-central Nebraska the afternoon and evening of May 22. No less than 17 different tornadoes rolled across south-central Nebraska. Dozens of homes were damaged and a few completely destroyed. Over 250 center irrigation pivots were damaged or destroyed in south-central Nebraska alone. Large hail and strong straight-line winds of up to 80 mph also wreaked havoc on the region. Several million dollars in property damage was reported. Hundreds of power poles were snapped resulting in dozens of miles of downed electrical line.

Tornado in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:10:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:10:00 (CST)
Location: AYR
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 1M
Crop damage: 250K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

A tornado traveled a 7 mile path in southeast Adams county and produced some damage, mainly to center pivot systems.

Tornado in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:04:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:04:00 (CST)
Location: ORLEANS
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

A brief tornado was reported north of Orleans

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:04:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:04:00 (CST)
Location: ORLEANS
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 500K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 19:35:00 to 22-MAY-04 19:35:00 (CST)
Location: RAVENNA
Magnitude: 71 EG
Property damage: 800K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Straight-line winds of up to 80 mph overturned or damaged over 50 pivots in northeast Buffalo county.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 19:34:00 to 22-MAY-04 19:34:00 (CST)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 19:42:00 to 22-MAY-04 19:42:00 (CST)
Location: HEBRON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)

Hail in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:13:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:13:00 (CST)
Location: MC COOL JCT
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 75K
Crop damage: 150K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Funnel Cloud in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:15:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:15:00 (CST)
Location: BRADSHAW
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:15:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:15:00 (CST)
Location: AYR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Hail in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 21:10:00 to 22-MAY-04 21:10:00 (CST)
Location: HARDY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: STORM CHASER

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 19:31:00 to 22-MAY-04 19:31:00 (CST)
Location: KEARNEY ARPT
Magnitude: 53 MG
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:56:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:56:00 (CST)
Location: OXFORD
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 19:45:00 to 22-MAY-04 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: SHICKLEY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 20:25:00 to 22-MAY-04 20:35:00 (CST)
Location: CHESTER
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 250K
Crop damage: 50K
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)

A small tornado was reported in southeast Thayer county.  This was the final tornado of the day in south-central Nebraska.  Damage was limited to trees, power poles and center pivot irrigation systems.

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 19:53:00 to 22-MAY-04 20:09:00 (CST)
Location: BYRON
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 1M
Crop damage: 200K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

A tornado traveled north from near Byron to just south of Deshler.  Fortunately the tornado remained in primarily unpopulated areas.

Tornado in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:49:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:49:00 (CST)
Location: STAMFORD
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 150K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A tornado set down briefly in far southwest Franklin county near Stamford and damaged a mobile home and upset several irrigation systems.

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:23:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:23:00 (CST)
Location: RAGAN
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:35:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:40:00 (CST)
Location: BEAVER CITY
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 300K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

A tornado traveled a 3 mile path in southeast Furnas county and was witnessed by many people. One farmstead sustained damage to several outbuildings but the house did not have significant damage. A little farther down the road a tractor and six row planter were overturned on top of a car.

Tornado in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:19:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:30:00 (CST)
Location: PAULINE
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 500K
Crop damage: 250K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

A tornado sat down south of Pauline and traveled northeast.  It crossed into Clay county to the east of Pauline.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:50:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:50:00 (CST)
Location: LEXINGTON
Magnitude: 52 EG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:56:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:56:00 (CST)
Location: STROMSBURG
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:55:00 to 22-MAY-04 19:40:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 70 EG
Property damage: 5M
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Straight-line winds from the rear flank downdraft of a supercell thunderstorm in Clay county rushed across Fillmore county. Damage was widespread across the county with over 50 center irrigation pivots damaged or destroyed. Minor structure damage and major tree damage was common.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 20:10:00 to 22-MAY-04 20:10:00 (CST)
Location: DANNEBROG
Magnitude: 70 EG
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 20:13:00 to 22-MAY-04 20:13:00 (CST)
Location: HEBRON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Tornado in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:34:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:34:00 (CST)
Location: BENEDICT
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 35K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

A tornado set down east of Benedict and power poles were snapped and a machine shed was severely damaged.

Hail in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:05:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:05:00 (CST)
Location: HASTINGS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: AMATEUR RADIO

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:08:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:08:00 (CST)
Location: GRAFTON
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Tornado in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:28:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:28:00 (CST)
Location: BEAVER CITY
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A brief tornado was reported south of Beaver City.  About a dozen power poles were blown down.

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 20:30:00 to 22-MAY-04 20:30:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRMONT
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Tornado in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:46:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:46:00 (CST)
Location: BLADEN
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 250K
Crop damage: 50K
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A tornado occurred in northwest Webster county. A machine shed was damaged. There was extensive tree damage near the tornado's path.

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:24:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:26:00 (CST)
Location: BRUNING
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 250K
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A tornado dropped east of Bruning and crossed into Fillmore county.

Tornado in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:26:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:29:00 (CST)
Location: OHIOWA
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 400K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

A tornado that exited Thayer county moved across a part of southeast Fillmore county.  The tornado struck one farmstead and dislodged the house from its foundation.  It also damaged several outbuildings.

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:45:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:45:00 (CST)
Location: CARLETON
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:53:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:53:00 (CST)
Location: HEBRON
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: STORM CHASER

A storm chaser reported a brief tornado northwest of Hebron.

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:00:00 (CST)
Location: BELVIDERE
Tornado F-scale: F2
Property damage: 2.5M
Crop damage: 500K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

A tornado traveled 8 miles and damaged 6 farmsteads. One house was hit by the tornado. Damage was so severe; the owners burnt the 120 year old house.  A machine shed was destroyed toward the end of the tornadoes path. Three semi-trucks were stacked on top of each other at one site. Several center pivot systems were destroyed.

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:35:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:35:00 (CST)
Location: BEAVER CITY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:30:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:30:00 (CST)
Location: YORK
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Tornado in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:32:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:37:00 (CST)
Location: OHIOWA
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 100K
Crop damage: 250K
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

A pair of tornadoes was reported just northeast of the old Bruning airfield. The first tornado traveled north and struck one farmstead and dislodged the house from its foundation. The owner of property withstood the first tornado only to see the second tornado pass just southeast of his house. The second tornado hit another farmstead just to the east and damaged several outbuildings.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:40:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:40:00 (CST)
Location: COZAD
Magnitude: 53 MG
Property damage: 15K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

Hail in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:33:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:33:00 (CST)
Location: NAPONEE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 20:34:00 to 22-MAY-04 20:34:00 (CST)
Location: HEBRON
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:36:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:36:00 (CST)
Location: CAMPBELL
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A tornado set down briefly in northeast Franklin county and snapped a few power poles.

Funnel Cloud in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:39:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:39:00 (CST)
Location: FRANKLIN
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NWS EMPLOYEE(OFF DUTY)

Tornado in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:11:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:11:00 (CST)
Location: ALMA
Tornado F-scale: F0
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: STORM CHASER

A tornado was reported by a storm chaser.  It was down only briefly.

Hail in HARLAN, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:21:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:21:00 (CST)
Location: REPUBLICAN CITY
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 150K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Hail in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 17:21:00 to 22-MAY-04 17:21:00 (CST)
Location: FUNK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Tornado in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:30:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:52:00 (CST)
Location: SPRING RANCH
Tornado F-scale: F2
Property damage: 4.5M
Crop damage: 1M
Reported by: NWS STORM SURVEY

A large tornado moved out of Adams county and into central Clay county. Approximately 15 residences were hit by the tornado. Thirty-eight cars of a forty-nine car Union Pacific train were derailed southeast of Glenvil. Over 100 center irrigation pivots were damaged or destroyed across Clay County.

Tornado in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 18:29:00 to 22-MAY-04 18:29:00 (CST)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Tornado F-scale: F1
Property damage: 0
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

A tornado was reported by volunteer firemen and storm chasers on Highway 74 just west of Fairfield.  The chasers wind equipment recorded a wind gust just over 105 mph.

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:10:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:10:00 (CST)
Location: WILSONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 100K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 22-MAY-04 16:25:00 to 22-MAY-04 16:25:00 (CST)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 76 MG
Property damage: 25K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC

73 mph winds were also reported in the city of Gothenburg at about the same time. One building in town sustained major damage.