Wayne Tornado Map
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.
The path of the Wayne tornado
On the evening of Friday, October 4, 2013, a tornado touched down 8 miles southwest of Wayne. Over the next 18.3 miles it traveled north-northeast, passing through Wayne, before lifting 11 miles northeast of Wayne.
At its widest the damage path was 2,429 yards (1.4 miles) across. It was rated EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, a violent tornado. It injured 15 people; no one was killed.
The track, widths and figures on this map come from the Storm Prediction Center's survey record, so they can differ slightly from totals published elsewhere.
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.
