The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has conducted a thorough review of all available information in the wake of the damaging tornado outbreak of April 26, 2024. This includes direct comparison to the other tornado damage of similar magnitude, forensic analysis, and careful evaluation of newly available high resolution overhead photography immediately after the tornado occurred and prior to clean up. These analyses indicate that the tornado that tracked through the Elkhorn, Bennington and Blair areas had a few points along the track where EF-4 damage occurred, with an estimated peak wind speed of 170 mph based on the damage. This is in an increase only 5 mph form the previous rating information, but brings the tornado from EF-3 to EF-4 category. This conclusion is being released now, int time for the final submission of April 26, 2024 severe weather data into the official NOAA Storm Data publication. All other tornado damage information from April 26, 2024 event will be maintained at the levels released via Public Information Statement and the Damage Assessment Toolkit in early May.
Elkhorn-Bennington-Blair area tornado upgraded to an EF-4
