The National Weather Service in North Platte continues to conduct their damage survey of a tornado on Tuesday evening June 25th in Grant County. They say that it’s the first strong tornado to impact Grant County in more than 70 years. The official tornado database goes back to 1950.
The Weather Service initial assessment indicates it started from a supercell thunderstorm in western Cherry County and quickly strengthened as it dropped into Grant County where the tornado formed. The tornado, rated an EF-3, crossed the community of Whitman causing tree damage throughout the town. It then rapidly intensified and caused extensive damage to a farmstead where several buildings were destroyed and significant damage to two primary homes.
The tornado continued over open rangeland, though damage to trees and fence lines was evident along its path. In Hooker County, the tornado rolled a small grain bin and flipped several pivots.
As the Weather Service continues their damage survey, they will consider whether there was a second tornado as well.
