Early on in the afternoon, a few scattered thunderstorms developed across eastern portions of South Central Nebraska, with one severe thunderstorm across Thayer County, where quarter to baseball size hail was reported.  The main show came later during the early evening hours, after a surface warm front had moved north into the area.  Near the front, good instability and shear was present, as was moisture.  Scattered thunderstorms developed along the edge of the mid level cap near the surface front, and with the environment present, some became strong to severe.  The main storm of the day developed in Buffalo County, then moved east across Hall and Hamilton Counties.  In each of these counties, this storm produced a tornado, with the largest occurring in Hamilton County, along Highway 34 near the town of Aurora.  This tornado caused EF2 damage to a home in its path, before dissipating a few miles west of Aurora.  Other damage caused by this storm included downed power poles and derailed train cars, as well as roof damage to the Iams plant caused by strong inflow winds.  Weaker tornadoes were reported on the south side of Grand Island in Hall County, as well as north of Gibbon in Buffalo County, where EF1 damage occurred at a few farmsteads.  Penny to tennis ball size hail was also reported across the area, causing damage to crops, with one report of broken house windows in Valley County.

Tornado in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 18:10:00 to 17-JUN-09 18:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUCE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A third tornado touched down north of Gibbon, with no significant damage reported.

Tornado in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:38:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief, weak tornado touched down in south Grand Island, with damage to trees and to shingles and siding at 3 houses.

Hail in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:50:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHAPMAN
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 20:37:00 to 17-JUN-09 20:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST PAUL WALTS ARPT
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Tornado in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:50:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A brief tornado touched down southwest of Phillips, with no damage reported.

Tornado in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:59:00 to 17-JUN-09 20:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURPHY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 75.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A large tornado touched down west of Aurora on Highway 34, then traveled east approximately 5 miles before lifting.  In its path, it destroyed a house and several outbuildings, power poles, trees, and overturned about a dozen railcars.  The occupants were able to seek shelter before the tornado struck.  Numerous storm chasers documented this storm.

Tornado in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 17:54:00 to 17-JUN-09 17:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUTLER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 30.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down north of Gibbon, causing damage to two farmsteads.  At the first, a quonset was leveled, grain bins damaged, and minor damage to the home.  At the second farmstead, damage was confined to windows and shingles, and minor damage to an outbuilding.  Round hay bales were rolled approximately 50 yards.

Tornado in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 18:05:00 to 17-JUN-09 18:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUTLER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Another tornado briefly touched down north of Gibbon, causing minor tree and crop damage.

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 18:20:00 to 17-JUN-09 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH LOUP
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 11:48:00 to 17-JUN-09 11:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHESTER
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 200.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:52:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 17:19:00 to 17-JUN-09 17:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANTON
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 225.00K
Reported by: Public

Golf ball to hen egg size hail was reported.

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 17:46:00 to 17-JUN-09 17:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUTLER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 18:26:00 to 17-JUN-09 18:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMERON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 75.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 18:00:00 to 17-JUN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHERMAN RES
Magnitude: 1.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Public

Quarter to ping pong ball size hail was reported.

Hail in VALLEY, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 18:15:00 to 17-JUN-09 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH LOUP
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: County Official

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:22:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: BURKETT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Quarter to golf ball size hail was reported.

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 11:50:00 to 17-JUN-09 12:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUBBELL
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 12:00:00 to 17-JUN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUBBELL
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:19:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND IS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 19:31:00 to 17-JUN-09 19:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITCHFIELD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 17-JUN-09 17:09:00 to 17-JUN-09 17:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLEASANTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager