FujitaSupply

Wayne tornado

Touchdown Record | Wayne County, Nebraska, Dixon County

During the afternoon hours of October 4, 2013, a large and violent multiple-vortex tornado moved across several counties located in rural Nebraska. The tornado injured fifteen and inflicted $50.5 million (2013 USD) in damages along a 18.94 mi (30.48 km) path.

Wayne tornado tornado photograph
Archival Survey Record | Photographic Collection
RatingEF4
Peak Winds170 mph
Path Length18.94 mi
Fatalities0
Damage Est.$50.5 million

What was the Wayne tornado?

The Wayne tornado was a large, violent, multiple-vortex tornado that occurred on October 4, 2013. It moved across rural Nebraska, impacting Wayne County during the afternoon hours. This storm reached EF4 intensity as it struck the city of Wayne. It persisted for 43 minutes before finally dissipating.

What was the Wayne tornado wind speed?

The Wayne tornado produced peak winds estimated at 170 mph (270 km/h). Assessment teams identified these speeds based on the structural damage caused by the vortex. Earlier in its path, the tornado registered winds of 152 mph (245 km/h) near Nebraska Highway 15. The intensity escalated as the storm moved into the Wayne city limits.

What was the Wayne tornado path?

The tornado first touched down southwest of Brenna at 4:12 pm CST. It moved to the northeast for its entire life, spanning a total path length of 18.94 mi (30.48 km). The storm tracked through rural Wayne County before hitting the city of Wayne. It continued into rural Dixon County, eventually dissipating northwest of Wakefield.

How many people died in the Wayne tornado?

Zero fatalities occurred during the Wayne tornado. However, the event resulted in fifteen injuries, mostly located within the town of Wayne. Two men sustained severe injuries after the tornado threw them 30 yards while they attempted to escape in a drainage ditch. Emergency actions by staff at the airport helped prevent further casualties.

What did the Wayne tornado destroy?

The Wayne tornado destroyed several homes and multiple barns across its path. It demolished the Wayne Municipal Airport, including two hangars and fifteen large aircraft. The storm also leveled a John Deere tractor dealership known as Grossenburg Implement. Additionally, the vortex flattened numerous warehouses and steel buildings within the city.

What caused the Wayne tornado?

A powerful storm system moving from Colorado into South Dakota created an environment favorable for severe weather. A dry line swept across Nebraska while a warm front lifted north. These conditions, coupled with a strong wind field, made the atmosphere strongly unstable. Supercells developed near the intersection of the dry line and warm front, producing the tornado.

What happened after the Wayne tornado?

The town of Wayne faced a recovery effort following the destruction of residential and commercial structures on its southeast side. At least 10 homes suffered significant damage or complete destruction. The event left $50.5 million in damages across the impacted region. This storm became the strongest tornado to strike Nebraska in the month of October.

Wayne Tornado Track

The mapped ground track below shows the surveyed touchdown point, damage corridor, and dissipation coordinates recorded by NWS field crews. The Wayne tornado traveled 18.94 mi across Wayne County, Nebraska, Dixon County. Coordinates are derived from the official SPC historical tornado database.

LOADING RADAR BEACON TRACKS...
Wayne Tornado Track
Wayne tornado ground damage survey
Ground Damage Survey Record
Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Wayne tornado occur?

The Wayne tornado occurred on the afternoon of October 4, 2013, touching down at 4:12 pm CST.

What was the Fujita rating of the Wayne tornado?

The Wayne tornado reached an EF4 rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale during its passage through the city.

Did the Wayne tornado kill anyone?

No, the Wayne tornado resulted in zero fatalities.

How long was the path of the Wayne tornado?

The Wayne tornado traveled a total path length of 18.94 miles (30.48 km).

Meteorological Registry Record
Duration
43 minutes
Injuries
15
Areas affected
Wayne County, Nebraska, Dixon County
Fujita scale
EF4
Verified NWS & Primary Sources
Explore Related Events