The National Weather Service (NWS) has released its preliminary storm survey results from damage caused by severe storms on Monday, June 11, 2018. The two storm survey teams from the NWS in Valley found evidence of 6 tornadoes, while other areas were hit by straight line winds.
So far, each tornado was found to be short-lived and relatively weak, each being ranked EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The strongest winds, and causing most of the damage, were actually straight line thunderstorm winds, some estimated to be up to 100 mph.
According to the damage survey released by the NWS, three tornadoes touched down in Cass County, Nebraska one near Louisville and the other two between Louisville and Murray. The tornado near Louisville was caught on video, but is not believed to have caused any damage. The other two hit in rural areas damaging a home, a few buildings, and trees. Maximum winds were estimated to be between 60 mph and 75 mph with these three tornadoes.
A fourth tornado, with winds estimated to be near 72 mph, touched down in Johnson County, Nebraska, near Elk Creek. The tornado damaged trees in pastureland.
A similar tornado touched down in Pawnee County, Nebraska, near Table Rock. Like the previous tornado, it touched down in pastureland, only damaging trees. Maximum winds were estimated to be 74 mph.
The sixth tornado was in Fremont County, Iowa, in the McPaul area. The survey team believes the tornado was embedded in a larger area of straight line winds, damaging trees and moving an empty tractor trailer from its mooring blocks.
Fremont County, Iowa was also hit by very strong straight line winds in Thurman, McPaul, and Sidney. Winds between 74 and 95 mph pushed nine semi trucks off Interstate 29. The report says two drivers had to be taken to the hospital.
The same wind also tore off parts of the roofs of three nearby large sheds.
In nearby Thurman, several large trees were damaged by winds believed to be from 68 to 74 mph.
The damaging winds then blew east into Sidney, Iowa. The winds, up to 100 mph, tore off the metal roof of the post office, damaged numerous trees, and snapped telephone poles at their bases.
