A large upper level trough of low pressure emerged onto the Central Plains on March 18th, 2012. Isolated severe thunderstorms developed during the evening hours, where one isolated severe thunderstorm produced several tornadoes from central Lincoln County north into eastern Cherry County. One of the tornadoes produced significant damage near North Platte, in central Lincoln County. Additional damage was reported north in southeast McPherson County in the Ringgold area.

Tornado in MCPHERSON, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:39:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: RINGGOLD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down approximately five miles south southeast of Ringgold in McPherson County and tracked north and northwest before dissipating near the Ringgold church.  Tornado damage included several large tree limbs broken off, cedar trees uprooted, a center pivot irrigation system twisted and overturned, damage to a church building and small storage building.  The tornado was on the ground intermittently for four minutes.

Hail in PERKINS, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 17:15:00 to 18-MAR-12 17:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: ELSIE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in KEITH, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 17:28:00 to 18-MAR-12 17:28:00 (MST-7)
Location: PAXTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Hail in MCPHERSON, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 18:48:00 to 18-MAR-12 18:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRYON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in HAYES, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 19:30:00 to 18-MAR-12 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYES CENTER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 19:59:00 to 18-MAR-12 19:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: DICKENS
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in CHERRY, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:42:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:42:00 (CST-6)
Location: MERRITT RES
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:45:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH PLATTE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Hail in CHERRY, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 21:06:00 to 18-MAR-12 21:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALENTINE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in CHERRY, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 21:20:00 to 18-MAR-12 21:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALENTINE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:10:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH PLATTE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down 10 miles southwest of North Platte and traveled north and destroyed a large metal transmission tower.  Two homes were damaged, several outbuildings and garages were damaged or destroyed.  Two center pivot irrigation systems were overturned with one wood transmission tower destroyed and extensive power line damage along the path in addition to tree damage.  The tornado dissipated while moving north of Walker road.

Tornado in CHERRY, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 21:19:00 to 18-MAR-12 21:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: VALENTINE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reported a tornado briefly touched down over open rangeland near Highway 83 north of Valentine.

Tornado in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:13:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:14:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH PLATTE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down 5 miles west southwest of North Platte just south of Interstate 80.  The tornado moved north where a semi tractor and trailer was destroyed and driver injured.  Extensive debris spread north and northwest as the tornado tracked northwest damaging a garage, overturning a center pivot irrigation system, destroying fence line and producing extensive tree damage along a one and a half mile long path before lifting just south of the South Platte river.

Tornado in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:14:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH PLATTE
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down four and a half miles west of North Platte just south of west Front street and traveled north northeast.  The tornado damage was extensive to include two homes destroyed and two additional homes with significant damage from trees blown over and windows blown out.  Two residents were injured in their homes.  As the tornado traveled north across the Union Pacific Bailey Yards, an estimated 15 tanker cars were blown over and debris was scattered northeast for one and a half miles.  A center pivot irrigation system was overturned north of Highway 30 before the tornado lifted five and a half miles northwest of North Platte.

Tornado in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:18:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTH PLATTE
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touched down five miles west northwest of North Platte, just south of Platte Valley Road, where a two story barn was destroyed with several outbuildings damaged.  The tornado tracked northeast where a field of boards from the barn were driven into the ground, along with other debris.  As the tornado tracked northeast, two homes were damaged, a garage had structural damage, and an outbuilding was destroyed.  Extensive tree damage occurred before the tornado dissipated five miles northwest of North Platte.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 20:34:00 to 18-MAR-12 20:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: (LBF)BIRD FLD NORTH
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reported a forty feet by 22 feet shed was destroyed.  This was a result of damaging outflow winds from a severe thunderstorm.

Hail in HOOKER, NEBRASKA
From 18-MAR-12 18:19:00 to 18-MAR-12 18:19:00 (MST-7)
Location: MULLEN
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public