Omaha, Nebraska is bracing for severe spring storms this weekend, with the potential for powerful tornadoes, large hail, and flooding. The National Weather Service has issued rare “tornado emergency” statements as reports of tornadoes in Texas and Nebraska remain unconfirmed.

In Blair, Nebraska, a small city north of Omaha, the “tornado emergency” also applies to Missouri Valley, Iowa, and neighboring areas along the Nebraska border. These emergency statements are reserved for tornadoes confirmed by reliable sources or radar data, indicating a severe threat to human life and property.

Reports of multiple tornadoes touching down near Omaha have yet to be confirmed by the National Weather Service office in Valley, Nebraska. Videos shared on social media show tornadoes in the air and on the ground in the vicinity of Lincoln, Waverly, and Elba. Nearly 16 million people are under tornado watches stretching from Texas to Nebraska.

One facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, producing injection-molded parts for manufacturing, was destroyed by a reported tornado. Fortunately, only three people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while nearly 70 others managed to escape unharmed. In response to the severe weather, public schools in Lincoln have implemented tornado safety measures, warning parents about potential disruptions to student pick-ups.

Travelers at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield have been moved to storm shelters due to flight delays caused by the storm. Elsewhere, homes were damaged and two individuals suffered minor injuries when a tornado struck near Abbott, Texas, causing a semi-truck to overturn on Interstate 35.

Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma took precautions by relocating aircraft ahead of the storm. The most intense storms are expected in the midafternoon to early evening, affecting major cities like Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; and Des Moines, Iowa.

The Storm Prediction Center has issued an enhanced risk warning for severe thunderstorms in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. As the storm system moves farther into the Plains, heavy snow is forecasted in the Rockies. The weekend is expected to bring volatile weather across a large area from Texas to Michigan, with threats of large hail and numerous tornadoes.

As the storms persist into Sunday, the risk of flash flooding increases, particularly in eastern Oklahoma where over 6 inches of rainfall is projected. Residents from St. Louis to Dallas may also face hazardous weather conditions. The ongoing severe storms serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and destructive nature of spring weather patterns.