45th anniversary for Night of the Twisters
Today marks the 45th Anniversary of the June 3, 1980 Grand Island tornadoes when seven twisters dropped from one of the largest supercell thunderstorms in our nation's history.
June 3, 2025Updated: June 3, 2025
By News Channel Nebraska
By News Channel NebraskaGRAND ISLAND, Neb. --
Today marks the 45th anniversary of the June 3, 1980 Grand Island tornadoes when seven twisters dropped from one of the largest supercell thunderstorms in our nation's history.
Ripping through the city tornadoes left five people dead over 200 injured and $300 million dollars in damage.
A group of dedicated broadcast journalists came together that "Night of the Twisters " at KHAS-TV in Hastings to bring viewers a first hand account of the devastation in Nebraska's third city.
Throughout the night, Kent Boughton, Joe Martin, Russ Battenhorst and John Prescott aired videotape from multiple reporters who risked their lives capturing the aftermath and getting it back to Channel 5.
Coverage wrapped up at 3:30 AM the next morning, with reports and coverage following in the days and weeks ahead earned the forecasters a coveted AKSARBEN Award for excellence in Nebraska broadcasting.