Power Outage in Hampton, NE

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 95 MPH through this area. Widespread significant tree damage, crop damage, downed power lines, snapped power poles, and power outages were reported along and near this path. A high-voltage transmission line was downed approximately four miles southwest of Aurora, crossing Interstate 80 and causing traffic issues. Several outbuildings and grain bins were damaged or destroyed, mainly south of Aurora. A 66 ft by 120 ft outbuilding just southwest of Aurora was damaged, with sheets of metal blown upwards of 200 yards away. Semi-trucks were blown over on Interstate 80 near both the Aurora and Giltner exits.

Minor crop and tree damage occurred. Debris was found in nearby powerlines. An old lean-to shed was destroyed.

This tornado was not witnessed by anyone as it occurred after dark. A large area of damaging winds occurred northwest of where the tornado apparently formed. Tree damage, snapped power poles, and overturned pivots were common from just south of Marquette to southeast of Hampton. The most evident tornado damage was observed at two homes north of Hampton. Both homes lost part of their roof. One home was a manufactured home and the other was conventional construction. The southern of the two homes had parts of the roof blown back to the west and southwest, while the rest of the debris was strewn southeast along the storm path. Leaves and mud were plastered on the east side of both homes. Radar data did not show any obvious tornado-like signatures. Due to the widespread damage, it was difficult to identify exactly where the tornado began and ended.

This tornado touched down approximately 5 miles south-southwest of Hampton, just south of Interstate 80, where a home suffered some roof damage and a grain truck was overturned. A cattle shed was also destroyed, trees were damaged, and a few wooden power poles were snapped. A few moments later the tornado crossed over the interstate in front of many spectators. Just north of the interstate, roof panels were ripped from an outbuilding and more power poles were broken. A roof was partially removed from a double wide trailer just southwest of Hampton and irrigation pivots were knocked over. The tornado continued on a path just west of Hampton, moving north-northeast. Along its path, grain bins and irrigation pivots were destroyed, numerous tree trunks were snapped and irrigation piping was destroyed, including being wrapped around trees and power poles. Approximately 60 power poles were destroyed, at least 16 irrigation pivots were damaged, along with 7 homes and 10 outbuildings. The tornado lifted 4 miles north northeast of Hampton, about 10 miles from its touchdown point. The maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 125 MPH.

This tornado started southwest of Aurora and moved southeast. The parent supercell had produced a rear flank downdraft (RFD) that was traveling down Interstate 80. As the tornado interacted with this RFD about a mile north of the Interstate, it rapidly increased in size and strength and started to move eastward. At this point the tornado damaged several homes and brought down a self standing cell tower. One home along Highway 14 sustained considerable damage. The tornado then moved to the northeast and dissipated just southwest of the village of Hampton. To the west of Hampton, several empty rail cars were blown off the tracks by what appeared to be inflow winds into the tornado. A major high voltage power line was brought down by the tornado as well as many power lines and poles in the rural areas. Also many center pivot irrigation systems were blown over along the tornadoes path.

A supercell that spawned a couple of tornadoes produced a rear flank downdraft (RFD) that traveled along Interstate 80. The event was recorded by a storm chaser that was located south of Aurora at the I-80 and Highway 14 junction. The strong wind blew over several semi-trailers, pushed a couple of campers and a few cars off of I-80. Five people sustained minor injuries. A farmstead near the Interstate sustained considerable damage to the home and outbuildings. Numerous power poles and center pivot irrigation system down damaged. The canopies at the 3 gas stations at the I-80/Highway 14 interchange were damaged.