EF3 tornado destroys multiple homes north of St. Libory, Nebraska
Three tornadoes touched down across south-central Nebraska on May 17, 2026, including a high-end EF3 tornado near St. Libory in Howard County that destroyed multiple homes and damaged power infrastructure, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Dramatic new footage of the violent Saint Libory, Nebraska tornado as it destroys homes and the search and rescue immediately after the event. Amazingly no fatalities or injuries occurred! #new #tornado @JordanHallWX @SevereStudios @Unitedcajunnavy pic.twitter.com/pFrleBKUUH
— Scott Peake (@ScottPeakeWX) May 18, 2026
The strongest tornado, rated EF3, developed rapidly near a farmstead west of Highway 281, where small outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees damaged.
It touched down at 17:04 CDT, about 6.4 km (4 miles) northwest of St. Libory, and remained on the ground until 17:15 CDT, tracking a 9.8 km (6.09 miles) long path eastward across southeastern Howard County. Estimated peak winds reached 257 km/h (160 mph), while the maximum path width was measured at 320 m (1 050 feet).
At least four homes and two garages in the area were destroyed, along with a nearby center pivot irrigation system. It snapped power poles before crossing Highway 281 about 3 km (2 miles) north of the Highway 58 intersection and intensified further as it moved into a rural housing development east of the highway.
The tornado dissipated just west of Merrick County, about 6.4 km (4 miles) northeast of St. Libory. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, an EF1 tornado touched down at 18:42 CDT about 5 km (3 miles) southwest of Hebron in Thayer County and lifted at 18:53 CDT about 1.6 km (1 mile) east-southeast of Hebron. It had a path length of 6.8 km (4.25 miles) with a maximum width of 183 m (600 feet) and produced estimated peak winds of 153 km/h (95 mph).
Survey teams found the Hebron tornado began with EF0 tree limb damage near Spring Creek before intensifying to EF1 strength as it moved east-northeast. Trees were uprooted, and part of the roof of a golf cart shed at the Hebron Country Club was uplifted.
The tornado weakened while crossing near the airport before dissipating on the east-southeast side of town, where additional tree damage and roofing loss from a farm shed were documented near the Little Blue River.
Another tornado was confirmed in rural southwestern Howard County near Dannebrog at 16:51 CDT. However, it was rated EFU because no damage indicators were identified to support a wind speed estimate.
The circulation touched down about 8 km (5 miles) south-southwest of Dannebrog and dissipated almost immediately in the same location. No damage, injuries, or fatalities were reported.
References:
1 Public Information Statement – NWS – May 18, 2026
Featured image: Spiritwood/Urbana EF3 tornado on June 20, 2025. Credit: Tanner Charles, NWS
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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