Tornado Collapses Nebraska Building, Injuring 3 and Trapping 70 Workers

A powerful tornado struck the Garner Industries building near Lincoln, Nebraska on April 26, 2024, causing significant damage and injuring at least 3 of the 70 workers inside. The tornado completely destroyed the plastic injection molding facility around 3 p.m., collapsing the structure and trapping the workers in the rubble.

Eyewitness Matthew Rojas witnessed the tornado from a mile away, describing debris flying around and a semi-truck being thrown across Interstate 80. "It was throwing cars, and you could see the debris flying around," Rojas said. "I saw a semi-truck get thrown across the interstate from one side to the other."

First responders quickly arrived on the scene to evacuate workers from the destroyed building. Three injured individuals were taken to area hospitals, while the other workers were transported to the Sandhills Global Event Center for shelter. The Lancaster County Sheriff confirmed that all 70 workers from the Garner Industries building have been accounted for, but the Waverly Fire Department will return to the site to ensure no one else is trapped.

The same tornado also struck a train between Waverly and Lincoln, causing multiple cars to derail. However, there were no injuries to the crew and no hazardous materials were released. Part of Highway 6 near 98th Street was closed due to the damage, and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

Why this matters: The devastating tornado is part of a larger outbreak that spawned seven reported tornadoes in Lancaster County, according to the National Weather Service. The widespread damage and impact on local businesses and infrastructure highlight the ongoing threat of severe weather events in the region.

Local officials, including Senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer and Representatives Mike Flood and Adrian Smith, have pledged to work on securing federal resources for the recovery efforts. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and other first responders remain on the scene, assessing the damage and ensuring the safety of those affected by the tornado. "We're going to work together as a delegation to make sure that we can secure those federal resources to help with the recovery efforts," Senator Fischer said.

Key Takeaways

• Powerful tornado struck Garner Industries building near Lincoln, NE on 4/26/2024.
• Tornado destroyed the plastic injection molding facility, injuring 3 of 70 workers.
• First responders evacuated workers, with 3 injured taken to hospitals.
• Tornado also struck a train, causing derailment with no injuries or hazardous spills.
• Local officials pledged to secure federal resources for recovery efforts.