Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena May 2004
Location: Jefferson County
3 W Daykin to 3 N Daykin
Date: 22 May 2004
Time Local/Standard: 1830 to 1838 CST
Path Length: (Miles): 4
Path Width: (Yards): 440
Number of Persons
Killed: 0
Injured: 0
Estimated Damage
Property: 220K
Crops:
Character of Storm: Tornado (F1)
See description below.
Location: Saline County
6.5 SW Western to 3 E Wilber
Date: 22 May 2004
Time Local/Standard: 1838 to 1910 CST
Path Length: (Miles): 20
Path Width: (Yards): 1200
Number of Persons
Killed: 0
Injured: 8
Estimated Damage
Property: 20M
Crops:
Character of Storm: Tornado (F2)
See description below.
Location: Gage County
3 W Clatonia to 5 NE Clatonia
Date: 22 May 2004
Time Local/Standard: 1910 to 1930 CST
Path Length (Miles): 7
Path WidthL (Yards): 2640
Number of Persons
Killed: 0
Injured: 0
Estimated Damage
Property: 20M
Crops:
Character of Storm: Tornado (F4)
See description below.
Location: Lancaster County
1 S Hallam to 2 E Bennet
Date: 22 May 2004
Time Local/Standard: 1930 to 2005 CST
Path Length (Miles): 19.5
Path WidthL (Yards): 2640
Number of Persons
Killed: 1
Injured: 30
Estimated Damage
Property: 100M
Crops:
Character of Storm: Tornado (F4)
See description below. F73PH
Location: Otoe County
4.5 SW Palmyra to 1 WSW Palmyra
Date: 22 May 2004
Time Local/Standard: 2005 to 2010 CST
Path Length (Miles): 3.5
Path WidthL (Yards): 880
Number of Persons
Killed: 0
Injured: 0
Estimated Damage
Property: 20M
Crops:
Character of Storm: Tornado (F1)
See description below.
This long tracked tornado is often referred to as the Hallam tornado. It initially touched down 3 miles west of Daykin in northern Jefferson county. The tornado was rated an f0 or f1 in Jefferson county damaging farm outbuildings, grain bins and trees. From there the tornado crossed into Saline county southwest of Western and remained an f0 or f1 until it struck the southern portion of Wilber where it strengthened to f2. Roofs were blown off of homes just southeast of Wilber.
The tornado traveled from Wilber into Gage county, crossing the county line west of Clatonia where it grew to its most intense stage, f4. The tornado remained nearly at this strength as it crossed into Lancaster county near Hallam with a damage path of around 1 1/2 miles. Many well-built homes were demolished from Clatonia to Hallam, along with grain bins, farm sheds, and outbuildings. Many trees were destroyed or uprooted. Although Hallam itself escaped the strongest winds from the storm, which occurred just south of town, 95 percent of the buildings in town were either destroyed or severely damaged. The lone fatality from the tornado occurred in Hallam. The storm also toppled several hopper cars from a freight train on the west edge of town. In total 55 railroad cars were derailed.
From Hallam the tornado traveled east for several miles prior to turning northeast again just north of Cortland. The storm then tracked 2 miles north of Firth, severely damaging the Firth-Norris high school and a nearby middle school. School busses were tossed in this area. Several homes northeast of the schools were flattened as the tornado regained its f4 strength.
The damage path continued northeast to Holland and then to 2 miles north of Panama where the tornado weakened to around an f2 and the damage path began to narrow. The track then curved more toward the north, passing just south of Bennet where a few homes sustained f3 damage. After passing south of Bennet, the storm moved back to the northeast and began to weaken to f0 or f1 strength as it crossed into Otoe county southwest of Palmyra. The tornado finally dissipated 1 miles west southwest of Palmyra.
In total the tornado was on the ground or around 54 miles with a maximum intensity of f4. Besides the fatality, 38 people sustained injuries, 158 homes were leveled and 57 others were seriously damaged. The dollar amount of damage was estimated at 160 million, with 60 million of that agricultural including 100 cattle and 50 hogs lost. Some 150,000 acres of crop land sustained significant damage. The 5 counties were declared national disaster areas by Fema.
