CENTRAL Neb. – Five cities in Central Nebraska were the victims of five tornadoes Friday where winds measured as high as 145 MPH, and widths of a half mile wide. 

The National Weather Service in Hastings reports that the first tornado formed near the KAAPA ethanol plant about 2.5 miles east of Ravenna, and moved Northwest.

The most significant damage was at a residence in southern Sherman County where outbuilding were damaged or destroyed. 

The Ravenna tornado lasted approximately 15 minutes and was rated an EF1 tornado, the second lowest strength according to the Enhanced Fujita scale. 

The second tornado formed from the same supercell as the Ravenna tornado, and first touched down south of Rockville, which is about 10 miles north of Ravenna. 

The Rockville tornado was also classified as EF1 and recorded winds as high as 105 MPH. It traveled roughly 5.71 miles before dissipating north of town. 

Only minor damages to a few homes and outbuildings were reported. 

The third tornado was the biggest and most severe, which formed south of Farwell, and travelled north near the west edge of Elba around 12:58 p.m. 

The Elba/Farwell tornado was measured at EF3, with wind speeds of 145 MPH and a width of 600 yards.

It traveled 9.5 miles and caused tree damage, overturned pivots, heavily damaged an Elba farmstead, and knocked down power poles. 

The fourth tornado formed southwest of Wolbach, which is about 15 miles north of St. Paul around 1:30 p.m.

The Wolbach tornado was the widest tornado, estimated at 880 yards or 1/2 mile wide. It destroyed a metal building, multiple wood-framed outbuildings near Highway 281, as well as one residence near Wolbach. 

  NWS Hastings

The fifth tornado formed in Greeley county and crossed over into Boone County, but the NWS did not have information on its specifics.