We're no strangers to tornadoes here in Nebraska; many of us are seasoned armchair meteorologists and spend every tornado season analyzing weather patterns. But there are a few storms that really stand out in our history. The tornado that ripped through southeastern Nebraska in 2004 was one of the largest and most destructive on record.
On May 22, 2004, the sky was so dark it was almost like night. Strong storms were moving across Nebraska from southwest to northeast and picking up steam as they went.
By the time the storms neared Daykin, there was strong rotation that rapidly turned into an enormous tornado. It varied in strength as it moved northeast, but it reached F4 status several times. The winds reached speeds of up to 200 MPH. These videos show the terrifying, incredible power of this natural disaster. At its peak, the Hallam tornado reached a whopping 2.5 miles across. Until a 2014 storm in Oklahoma, the Hallam storm was the widest tornado on record.
The town of Hallam was hit the hardest, hence the tornado's title. It was all but leveled after the storm left a wide swath of destruction in its path.
One person was killed and 37 were injured. Most of the town's homes were destroyed and the rest were damaged. And this little town of just a few hundred lost 70 residents who chose to move away rather than rebuild after the storm.
This incredible tornado remains the second-widest ever recorded, and it left several communities picking up the pieces for many years.
Do you remember where you were when the massive tornado struck in 2004? Share your stories in the comments section.
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For more of Nebraska's most serious disasters, read this article from the archives.
Winter in North Platte, NE is remarkable. The region is perhaps most famous for the annual Sandhill Crane migration, where hundreds of thousands of migrating birds stop in North Platte before their nesting period. It's one of the main reasons folks visit the region each year; however, there's plenty of magic to experience in North Platte long before the cranes arrive.
Some towns go all out for the holiday season with endless events, imaginative decorations, and brightly colored lights. North Platte, NE is one of those towns, and the holiday celebrations you'll find there are truly some of the most memorable in the state. Pack up the whole family and take a trip to this western Nebraska city to enjoy these family-friendly holiday events in North Platte this year.
Nothing says winter fun like a horse-drawn carriage through the snow. Even if there's no snow this year, you can still feel like royalty (or at least like you've got your own personal chauffeur) when you take one of the Christmas rides from Dusty Trails. Dusty Trails is an outdoor adventure company in North Platte. If you're visiting the area from out of state, you won't help but fall in love with the horses and the stunning surrounding landscape. The hosts are friendly and informative, and you're sure to leave with some lasting memories.
In the winter, Dustry Trail outfits some of its horses in the finest holiday attire and hitches them to a Cinderella-type carriage or a haywagon. You can book one of three experiences this holiday season to enjoy a memorable journey. Take the Cinderella carriage through North Platte's historic downtown area, a ride that lasts about 15 minutes and will make you feel like a celebrity as you roll down the street, admiring the town's jolly decorations. But the two other options are even more exciting. You can book a ride on either the carriage or wagon for a tour of the historic Buffalo Bill Ranch and the delightful Christmas Village at the Lincoln County Historical Museum.
The Christmas Village is one of the sweetest displays ever, and it's wildly popular each year. There are usually long lines to get into the display, but when you ride in on a carriage or wagon, you get to skip all of that waiting.
Close-up on beautiful Christmas ornaments hanging on the tree – holidays concepts
The beloved Western Heritage Village is transformed into a wonderland of lights, decorations, and memorable experiences. Rock out to some Christmas tunes as you gaze upon the whimsical, wondrous world. After your ride, return to Buffalo Bill State Historical Park for another Christmas treat. All of the buildings on the property will be decorated with exterior lights, and if you get there at the right time, you may even get to chat with Santa, Mrs. Claus, or even Buffalo Bill himself!
The 1886 mansion will also be decorated inside, giving you a glimpse of a very old-fashioned Christmas. Wander the rooms to see the decadent displays, including 18 lighted and decorated Christmas trees.
There will be outdoor fun, too! Warm up with hot cocoa and cookies and try some chestnuts roasted over an open fire. It's an unforgettable experience that the whole family will love.
The rest of North Platte is dressed up for the holidays, as well. Check out the North Platte City website for more information on the other activities and displays scheduled this Christmas season. Visit Dusty Trails online to learn more about the carriage and wagon rides and to book your own seats. You won't regret bundling up in your coziest winter jacket and spending an evening enjoying all of the family-friendly holiday events in North Platte this year!
If you're on the other side of the state and can't make it out to North Platte, how about driving through this spectacular holiday light display in Lincoln? It's one of the biggest and brightest in the state, and you won't want to miss it.
As you can probably guess, there are many abandoned places in Omaha and Nebraska. As people have moved away from their family farms and into towns and cities, plenty of buildings, barns, farmhouses, and even farm equipment have simply been left to rot away. The following 15 abandoned places in Nebraska are slowly being taken over and consumed by Mother Nature long after humans have moved away and have completely forgotten about them.
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1. The Israel Beetison House in Ashland, Nebraska.
Many of these structures have since been razed or otherwise destroyed, whereas others stand exactly as they were when their photographs were taken. We'd like to hope that at least some of them were rescued by people who loved them and restored them to their former functionality. Have you explored much of abandoned Nebraska? Ever considered a road trip to see all the abandoned places in Nebraska? It would not be a bad weekend adventure, if you ask me!
