Severe Storms Leave One Dead, One Injured, and Hundreds of Inmates Displaced in Nebraska

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A powerful storm system swept through eastern Nebraska before dawn on Saturday, August 9, 2025, claiming one life, seriously injuring another person, and displacing hundreds of inmates after damaging a state prison. The storms, which also impacted other Midwest states, brought destructive winds and widespread disruption to the region.

In Two Rivers State Park, located approximately 5 miles west of Omaha’s western border, a tragic incident unfolded around 7 a.m. when the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle crushed by a fallen cottonwood tree. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported wind gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour (mph), or 129 kilometers per hour (kph), in the area, which caused the tree to topple. A woman inside the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, and a man, trapped under the massive tree, suffered life-threatening injuries. Firefighters worked for approximately 90 minutes to extricate the man, according to Waterloo Fire Chief Travis Harlow. The injured man was transported to an Omaha hospital for treatment. The state park, a popular destination for campers, was among the areas hardest hit by the storm’s high winds.

The storms caused extensive damage across eastern Nebraska, toppling trees, tearing roofs off buildings, and downing power lines. In Blair, roughly 20 miles north of Omaha, a warehouse sustained significant damage when its roof was ripped open by the fierce winds. Thousands of residents lost power in the storm’s immediate aftermath, leaving communities grappling with outages and debris.

In Lincoln, the state capital, the Nebraska State Penitentiary faced significant structural damage to two of its housing units. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) reported that 387 inmates were displaced as a result. “There are no reported injuries, and all staff and incarcerated individuals are safe and accounted for,” the NDCS stated, emphasizing that the situation was under control despite the disruption.

The storm’s impact extended beyond Nebraska, with parts of eastern Wisconsin experiencing similar severe weather. The NWS reported wind gusts reaching 60 mph (97 kph) in Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Forecasters warned that additional strong storms could affect a broad region of the Midwest, from western Colorado through Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, northern Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, into Sunday, August 10, 2025.

The combination of high winds and structural damage highlighted the destructive power of the storm system, which caught many communities off guard. Emergency response teams, including the Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department, worked swiftly to address immediate dangers, such as the trapped victim at Two Rivers State Park. The NDCS’s prompt action ensured the safety of inmates and staff at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, though the displacement of nearly 400 prisoners poses logistical challenges for the state’s correctional system.

As cleanup efforts begin, the focus remains on restoring power, clearing debris, and addressing the needs of those affected. The NWS continues to monitor weather patterns, urging residents across the Midwest to stay vigilant as the threat of additional storms looms. The events in Nebraska underscore the unpredictable and devastating nature of severe weather, prompting renewed calls for preparedness in vulnerable regions.