A supercell thunderstorm that produced a tornado in Custer County on June 7, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
GRANT CO. — The first strong tornado to impact Grant County in more than 70 years has been assigned a preliminary rating of EF-3 for damage near Whitman on Tuesday, June 25.
According to National Weather Service – North Platte, “A supercell thunderstorm developed over western Cherry County during the mid-evening hours of Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The supercell quickly strengthened and produced very large hail as it dropped to the south southeast into Grant County producing a tornado.”
Just south of Whitman, the tornado rapidly intensified and struck a farmstead, severely damaging several homes on the property. One person was injured as a result.
Several buildings were destroyed, including significant damage to two primary homes.
“The tornado continued to the south southeast through Grant County and moved into far southwest Hooker County. The NWS North Platte Survey team will now focus our efforts south of Hooker County into McPherson County where evidence strong suggests the tornado continued,” NWS North Platte stated.
“The tornado continued south southeast over open rangeland, though damage to trees and fence lines was evident along its path. Once entering far southwest Hooker County, the tornado rolled a small grain bin and flipped several pivots,” NWS North Platte noted.
This is the first strong tornado to impact Grant County in more than 70 years. The official tornado database goes back to 1950, according to NWS North Platte.
The full length and width of the tornado are still being determined, but the estimated peak windspeeds were 160 mph, meaning the Grant County was a strong EF-3.