Hallam tornado
Around dusk and into the evening hours of May 22, 2004, a massive, powerful and long-tracked F4 tornado tore across the southeastern portions of the U.S. state of Nebraska. The tornado, part of a multi-day severe weather sequence throughout late-May, damaged or destroyed many rural farmsteads and communities along its path, but its most destructive effect occurred within the village of Hallam, where nearly most of the community was severely damaged.
What was the Hallam tornado?
The Hallam tornado was an extremely powerful F4 storm that moved across southeastern Nebraska on May 22, 2004. It ranks as the second-largest tornado on record by width, peaking at 4,400 yards wide. The storm tore through several rural farmsteads and communities throughout the evening hours. It caused widespread destruction in the village of Hallam, where it damaged or destroyed 95 percent of the community. One person died and 38 people sustained injuries during the event.
What was the Hallam tornado wind speed?
The Hallam tornado reached peak wind speeds estimated between 207 and 260 mph. These violent winds classified the storm as an F4 on the Fujita scale. The tornado maintained this intense rotational force throughout significant portions of its track across Gage and Lancaster Counties. It inflicted severe structural damage consistent with high-end vortex speeds. Meteorologists determined these ratings based on the destruction observed to rural homes, farmsteads, and infrastructure along the 54-mile path.
What was the Hallam tornado path?
The tornado touched down at 7:30 PM CDT in northwestern Jefferson County, southwest of Daykin. It traveled 54 miles across Saline, Gage, and Lancaster Counties before dissipating in Otoe County. The path crossed areas including Wilber, Clatonia, Hallam, Firth, and Bennet. The vortex eventually weakened as it approached the town of Palmyra. It finally lifted off the ground at 9:10 PM CDT, just one mile southwest of that community, after being on the ground for 100 minutes.
How many people died in the Hallam tornado?
One fatality occurred during the Hallam tornado. The victim was 73-year-old Elaine A. Focken, who died after flying debris struck her in Hallam. In addition to the death, 38 people suffered injuries throughout the storm's path. Eight of these injuries occurred in Saline County, while the remaining casualties, including the lone fatality, occurred in Lancaster County. Most residents sustained these injuries while attempting to reach shelter in their homes.
What did the Hallam tornado destroy?
The tornado destroyed 158 homes and damaged another 57 in the village of Hallam alone. It leveled many rural farmsteads and farm equipment throughout the counties it crossed. In the town of Hallam, the winds derailed 55 railroad cars from a coal train. The storm also caused major damage to the exterior of Norris High School near Firth. These destructive forces left nearly the entire village of Hallam in ruins by the time the vortex passed.
What caused the Hallam tornado?
A combination of high instability and significant wind shear created the environment for the Hallam tornado. The Storm Prediction Center identified steep lapse rates and strong low-level moisture transport along a frontal boundary. A surface low-pressure area developed at the intersection of a dry line and a warm front, which maximized tornado potential. Convective inhibition weakened during the afternoon, allowing rapid supercell formation. These supercells tracked northeastward across the Missouri River Valley, producing the violent rotation associated with the Hallam event.
What happened after the Hallam tornado?
Governor Michael Johanns declared a state of emergency for Nebraska following the devastation. President George W. Bush declared the region a major disaster area, which allowed residents to access FEMA Individual Assistance programs. Many residents eventually moved out of Hallam, though the village began rebuilding its structures over the following decade. Norris High School reopened for the 2006-2007 school year after undergoing extensive repairs. The community has since welcomed new residents and recovered from the loss of its infrastructure.
Hallam Tornado Track
The mapped ground track below shows the surveyed touchdown point, damage corridor, and dissipation coordinates recorded by NWS field crews. The Hallam tornado traveled 54 miles across Jefferson, Saline, Gage, Lancaster, and Otoe Counties, Nebraska. Coordinates are derived from the official SPC historical tornado database.
How wide was the Hallam tornado?
The Hallam tornado reached a peak width of 4,400 yards, or 2.5 miles, during its path through Lancaster County.
When did the Hallam tornado happen?
The tornado occurred on the evening of May 22, 2004, touching down at 7:30 PM CDT and dissipating at 9:10 PM CDT.
What rating was the Hallam tornado?
The National Weather Service rated the Hallam tornado as an F4 on the Fujita scale.
Was the Hallam tornado the widest in history?
The Hallam tornado held the record as the widest tornado in United States history for over nine years until the 2013 El Reno tornado exceeded its width.