On the morning of June 11, 2026, severe thunderstorms pushing across southeast Nebraska into southwest Iowa produced tornadoes, large hail, damaging wind gusts, and flash flooding. The synoptic setup for the event featured broad upper-level troughing over the Northern High Plains, with a strong shortwave trough pushing into eastern Nebraska early in the day.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS OAX wrote it up.
On the morning of June 11, 2026, severe thunderstorms pushing across southeast Nebraska into southwest Iowa produced tornadoes, large hail, damaging wind gusts, and flash flooding. The synoptic setup for the event featured broad upper-level troughing over the Northern High Plains, with a strong shortwave trough pushing into eastern Nebraska early in the day. This feature provided upper-level dynamic support for the amplification of the low-level jet (LLJ) alongside subsequent low-level warm air and moisture advection. This ultimately generated the forcing necessary for storm development, which began around 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM local time over central Nebraska.
As the LLJ strengthened overnight, a surface frontal boundary began to advance northward into southeast Nebraska. Isentropic upglide to the north of the surface front led to destabilization above the boundary layer. This elevated instability, combined with 40 to 55 knots of 1-3 km bulk shear along the nose of the LLJ, led to the organization of a strong mesoscale convective system (MCS) that tracked across eastern Nebraska and into southwest Iowa.
As the storms initally pushed into eastern Nebraska, the first report of large hail measuring up to 1.25 inches in diameter surfacing was reported in Seward County at 2:19 AM CST. By 3:00 AM CST, the system intensified and progressed eastward into Lancaster County, producing an initial 74 mph wind gust near Valparaiso and dropping hail up to 2.50 inches in diameter. As the storms tracked directly through Lancaster County between 3:11 AM and 4:01 AM CST, they generated widespread wind damage, snapping trees and downing powerlines. One notable incident occurred at 3:46 AM CST when an estimated 10-inch diameter tree limb fell onto a home, resulting in an injury. The system then continued east toward the Missouri River, pushing into Cass County around 4:04 AM CST where it immediately began causing structural damage and dropped its first reported tornadoes shortly after 4:10 AM CST.
Crossing into southwest Iowa around 4:30 AM CST, the system's focus shifted heavily toward pockets of damaging wind gusts, brief tornadoes and flash flooding. Tornadoes were reported consecutively across Fremont, Mills, Page, and Montgomery counties between 4:29 AM CST and 5:11 AM CST. As the morning progressed, intense straight-line winds up to 90 mph continued in a swatch across eastern Page and Montgomery counties in Iowa, particularly between Coburg and Villisca, IA. By 5:26 AM CST, the severe wind and hail threats began to transition into a significant flash flood event. Heavy downpours including a staggering 6 inches of rain reported in Sidney, Iowa by 6:00 AM CST led to flooded creeks, residential yards, and submerged roadways across Page and Fremont counties as the storms finally pushed out of the area.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 10, 11:45 PM CST, 4 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE 1245 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Strong to severe storms likely overnight (60-80% chance), moving through around 3 to 7 AM. Threats include very large hail, damaging winds, a tornado or two, and heavy rainfall. - Shower and storm chances return Saturday (40-60% chance) with another chance for severe storms Saturday afternoon and evening. - Cooler weather expected Sunday into early next week, with temperatures trending back up Tuesday into Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 924 PM CDT Wed Jun 10 2026 We have two boundaries across our area this evening. The main one is just clipping far southeast Nebraska up through Page County, IA bringing storms into Richardson County. The second is more of a truer cold front with a wind shift to northwesterly and much drier air to the north of it. This front stretches from Beatrice northeast to around Red Oak, IA. We had a few storms pop up along that second boundary earlier, but with diurnal heating shutting off, we've even lost the clouds that were along that boundary earlier. Attention turns to storms overnight. Right now the upper-level pattern shows broad troughing over the Northern High Plains. Guidance has a decently strong shortwave trough pushing into Nebraska early Thursday, providing upper-level dynamic support for amplification of the low-level jet, and forcing for storm development starting around 1-2AM over Central Nebraska. As the LLJ strengthens overnight, we'll see the stronger surface frontal boundary start to advance northward into southeast Nebraska. Isentropic upglide to the north of the surface front will lead to destabilization above the boundary layer. This instability combined with 40-55kts of 1-3km Bulk Shear along the nose of the LLJ will lead to the organization of a strong MCS that will track across eastern Nebraska into western Iowa. While CAMs continue to waffle on the exact path of this convective complex, it generally looks to impact somewhere around I-80, either aiming directly towards Lincoln or Omaha continuing east into Iowa. This complex will likely start as a cluster of strong individual cells over Central Nebraska, starting to merge together as they enter Butler, Seward, and Saline counties. These initial storm clusters will have a high risk of large hail, up to 2.5 inches. As they continue east, we'll see cold-pool development as the storm clusters start to organize themselves in the high-shear environment. It will start with a couple strong downbursts, which then will lead to the transition into more of more of a wind-driven MCS with gust potential up likely up to 70-80 mph. Couldn't rule out gusts up to 100 mph. The next uncertainty lies in where exactly this transition occurs and just how strong the winds will get. I expect the transition will likely occur somewhere around Lancaster+Saunders counties east into Omaha, with a wind-driven hail threat through the transition. Areas east of the transition will see more of just a damaging wind threat. Severe storms should clear the area into central Iowa by around 7AM, with the precip shield keeping light stratiform showers with a few embedded rumbles of thunder into mid-morning. Once showers clear, attention turns to the forecast for the rest of Thursday. The good news is that it is going to be much cooler. Strong northwesterly flow on the back-side of the upper-level trough will mix down, leading to gusty northwesterly winds developing late morning and lingering through the afternoon. Expect frequent gusts 30 to 40 mph. These winds will be advecting in cooler, drier air which will keep temperatures very pleasant. Highs on Thursday will only get into the upper 70s to low 80s. Going into Friday we see zonal flow setting up across the CONUS at 250mb, with a mid-level ridge shifting across the region at 500mb. On Friday we see the return of southerly flow on the back-side of this ridge coinciding with a weak Low developing and moving into central South Dakota. With the return of southerly flow we'll see temperatures warming back into the mid 80s to low 90s Friday afternoon, though humidity remains low with dew points in the mid 40s to mid 50s. We'll see moisture arrive with the nocturnal amplification of the LLJ into eastern Nebraska Friday night into early Saturday with increasing clouds, and potential for nocturnal storms overnight into early Saturday. Models have been trending farther south with nocturnal storm development and the lingering stationary front into the day on Saturday. This boundary will be the focus for strong-to-severe storm development possible Saturday afternoon and evening. Wherever this sets up, expect a low pressure system to develop somewhere around southwestern Kansas and ride up along this stationary boundary, amplifying low-level shear in an environment with ample moisture and instability along and south of the front. The Storm Prediction Center has been highlighting this potential since Day 5, which shows fairly good confidence in this potential, so highlight Saturday afternoon-evening as a period we should watch for more severe storms. Beyond Saturday, cooler weather settles in for Sunday into early next week as we see the return of northwesterly flow over the northern and central Plains. We could still see a few chances for showers and storms as shortwaves ride down the back-side of the broad upper-level trough, but moisture will be more limited with these showers likely not leading to any significant, meaningful rainfall. Temperatures trend back up toward Wednesday next week as ridging out west starts to expand eastward, leading to the return of southerly flow and moisture advection back into our region. I wouldn't expect any additional chances for severe weather beyond Saturday until at least Wednesday or later in the week next week. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/... Issued at 1214 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026 KOFK: VFR conditions are expected at the terminal for a couple of hours before deteriorating to MVFR as showers and storms move into the region. At least one but possibly two rounds of showers/storms will move through the vicinity of the terminal during the forecast period. The first round is expected to move into the region somewhere between 08Z and 10Z, with a few showers and possibly a few rumbles of thunder expected. Also expect a brief increase in winds as the first wave moves through. A little less certainty with the second potential round of showers/storms. Should this secondary line develop, it would move in somewhere between 12Z and 14Z. Because of the uncertainty, have opted to omit this mention from prevailing conditions for the time being. By 15Z, winds are expected to become northwesterly. Ceilings will improve to VFR by 18Z as clouds move out of the region. KOMA: VFR conditions prevail for a couple of hours. Models have been consistent in showing a potentially substantial cluster of storms moving into the vicinity of the terminal, although timing has jumped around a bit. Right now, we're looking at a potential arrival of storms around 09Z-10Z, bringing the potential for strong winds and possibly some hail. The hail is still a little uncertain as models have gone back and forth between bringing a cluster of storms over the terminal which would be indicative of a hail and wind threat, and a bowing line of storms which would result in more of a wind threat. To capture the potential wind threat, a tempo group was added, but wind gusts may need to be amended a bit higher depending on how these storms behave and what mode they take on. There will be a potential lull in thunderstorm activity for the terminal from 11Z-13Z. Models are showing a possible secondary wave of storms moving through after 13Z. The bulk of the storms are currently expected to be slightly north of the terminal, closer to KBTA; however, the HRRR brings a line of storms through, clearing the terminal by 16Z. This secondary line of storms is still iffy where or if it will develop, so it has been omitted from prevailing conditions for the time being. MVFR conditions improve to VFR by 18Z as the storm system moves east, out of the area. Expect winds to shift to the northwest after 15Z. KLNK: VFR conditions will deteriorate to MVFR at the terminal over the next 2-3 hours as a storm system moves into the region. Expect thunderstorm chances starting around 09Z-10Z, with storms clearing out by 12Z. With this first round of storms, expect the possibility of gusty winds and large hail. There remains some uncertainty in storm mode as this first wave moves through. The latest models have a cluster of storms developing over or in the vicinity of the terminal which would mean a potential wind and hail threat. However, a slightly further westward development could result in storms becoming a little more linear in nature, resulting in more of a wind threat. A tempo group was added to try and account for the increased winds and direction as storms roll through. Models are also showing a potential second wave of storms moving through the vicinity of the terminal around 14Z-15Z. We are a little less certain in this development and overall potential, so it was omitted from prevailing conditions for the time being. Winds will be variable through the overnight hours as storms move through. They are expected to become northwesterly tomorrow morning. Ceilings will gradually improve to VFR by 17Z as the storm system exits the region to the east. && .OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... NE...None. IA...None. && DISCUSSION...McCoy AVIATION...ANW
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
435 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0419 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 SSE Valparaiso 41.04N 96.81W
06/11/2026 M64 MPH Lancaster NE Public
Public mesonet measured wind gust.
&&
DMPPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
442 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0437 AM Tstm Wnd Gst Lincoln 40.82N 96.69W
06/11/2026 M70 MPH Lancaster NE ASOS
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
447 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0437 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 4 SE Malcolm 40.87N 96.80W
06/11/2026 M59 MPH Lancaster NE Public
Public mesonet station measured gust.
&&
DMPPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
448 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0445 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 5.9 SSE Davey 40.90N 96.63W
06/11/2026 M60 MPH Lancaster NE Mesonet
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
501 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0501 AM Tstm Wnd Gst 3 WNW Bennet 40.70N 96.56W
06/11/2026 M65 MPH Lancaster NE Mesonet
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
505 AM CDT Thu Jun 11 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0501 AM Hail 1 E Waverly 40.91N 96.52W
06/11/2026 E1.00 Inch Lancaster NE Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0453 AM Hail 5 SE Lincoln 40.76N 96.62W
06/11/2026 E1.00 Inch Lancaster NE Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
0450 AM Hail 5 E Lincoln 40.84N 96.60W
06/11/2026 E1.00 Inch Lancaster NE Public
Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
&&The Omaha radar (KOAX), 104 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:05 UTC.
21 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 5 tornado, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Delayed report received via social media of hail estimated up to 2 inches in diameter. Time estimated with radar.
Delayed emergency management report of a measured hailstone 3.5 inches in diameter, shown in a photo next to a ruler. Time estimated with radar.
Delayed report received via social media of hail measured up to 3 inches in diameter with corresponding picture. Time estimated with radar.
Emergency management report of hail measured up to 2.50 inches in diameter.
A brief tornado developed just east of the Missouri River at approximately 4:31 AM CST. The tornado produced minor tree damage as it tracked east towards Interstate 29. As the tornado reached Interstate 29, the tornado intensified. EF1 damage was produced at a residence located along Western Ave with most of the roof lifted off this residence. The tornado then crossed Interstate 29 and produced tree damage along the interstate before dissipating at approximately 4:32 AM CST. Maximum wind speeds were estimated at 110 mph.
At approximately 4:33 AM CST, a brief tornado developed north of Tabor, Iowa, and moved east. The tornado produced sporadic tree damage near 235th Street and Pathfield Road, with estimated maximum estimated winds around 65 mph. Shortly after this damage occurred, KOAX radar displayed a tornadic debris signature associated with the tornado. The tornado was estimated to have a maximum width of 20 yards. The tornado dissipated at approximately 4:35 AM CST.
Delayed report of several tree branches down (some large) through a neighborhood. Time estimated with radar.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 63 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 73 mph.
Report of damage to a self-serve gas station, with one third of the roof a metal building removed by straight line winds. Time estimated from radar. Wind speeds were estimated at 75 mph.
Delayed report received via social media of several large tree branches down in Malvern, Iowa. Time estimated with radar. Wind speeds were estimated at 65 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 58 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 80 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 67 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 71 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 63 mph.
Emergency management report of thunderstorm wind gusts estimated up to 90 mph.
Emergency management report of trees down, blocking Highway 48 south of Essex, IA. Wind gusts were estimated at 80 mph.
At approximately 4:58 AM CST, a tornado developed just east of Coburg, Iowa, near 105th Street and K Avenue, and moved east-southeast. The tornado produced sporadic tree damage with an estimated wind speeds of 70 mph. The tornado would then track east, parallel to 110th St. Along the path, trees and farm outbuildings received damage. Max wind speeds were estimated at low-end EF1 intensity of 90 mph. The tornado would dissipate at approximately 5:08 AM CST near 110th St and R Ave. The estimated maximum width was approximately 100 yards.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 71 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 59 mph.
Trained spotter report of tree limbs down and wind gusts estimated up to 60 mph, accompanied by hail up to 1.00 inch in diameter.
At approximately 5:08 AM CST, a tornado developed east of Stanton, Iowa, near 230th Street and Q Avenue, and moved northeast. The tornado produced tree damage on the west side of Viking Lake, including large broken limbs and uprooted trees, with estimated winds of 70 to 85 mph. The tornado then crossed to the east side|of Viking Lake, where it uprooted two trees, brought down numerous large limbs, caused minor siding and roof damage to a home near 230th Street and Raspberry Drive, and snapped approximately 10 pine tree trunks near S Avenue and Aldersgate Drive. Based on this damage, winds were estimated at 90 mph. The tornado then continued northeast, collapsing the walls of an outbuilding, snapping a tree trunk, and bringing down power lines near U.S. Highway 24 and T Avenue. Based on this damage, peak winds were estimated around 105 mph. The tornado then lofted grain bins from over a mile away into the interchange of Highway 71 and Highway 34. The tornado dissipated at approximately 5:16 AM CST.
A brief tornado developed south of Villisca at approximately 5:11 AM CST. The tornado would track along 110th St between V Ave and Willow Ave before dissipating near the county line at 5:13 AM CST. Along the tornado's path, trees were damaged, a farm outbuilding lost part of the roof and wall, and a carport was destroyed. The tornado had estimated wind speeds of 90 mph earning a rating of EF1. The maximum estimated width of the tornado was approximately 50 yards.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 66 mph.
Emergency management report of several trees and large branches down along the Page/Montgomery county line. Power lines across roads. The majority of N/S roads are blocked by trees at some point in this area. Time estimated with radar. Wind speeds were estimated at 80 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 58 mph.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 73 mph.
During the early morning hours of June 11, 2026, a thunderstorm complex moved across southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Peak rainfall rates of 2.00 to 3.00 inches per hour quickly produced total accumulations of 3.00 to 4.00 inches across northern and central Fremont County. At 5:26 AM CST, emergency management reported street flooding in Shenandoah, IA. A delayed public report also notes several inches of water over residential roadways and additional pooling in yards in Shenandoah, IA. At 5:36 AM, a public report was received of low lying flooding in Essex, IA including water in roadways and covering a park and knee deep water at the intersection of Illinois and Dennison St. At 5:27 AM CST, a public report of street flooding was received in Clarinda, IA. A delayed public report was also received of several inches of water over roadways through town in Clarinda, IA.
During the early morning hours of June 11, 2026, a thunderstorm complex moved across southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Peak rainfall rates of 2.00 to 3.00 inches per hour quickly produced total accumulations of 4.00 to 6.00 inches across northern and central Fremont County. At 5:30 AM CST, the public confirmed flash flooding in Sidney, IA including water overflowing over roads with water entering a front yard. The public also reported a 6 inch rainfall report in Sidney, IA.
Mesonet measured wind gust of 65 mph.
Public report of hail estimated up to 1.00 inch in diameter. Report received via mPING.
A swath of intense straight-line wind damage was surveyed from near Coburg to the Villisca area. Significant tree damage and damage to outbuildings was surveyed within the swath. Wind speeds were estimated between 60 to 90 mph. Time and location are approximated based on survey results and radar data.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Iowa in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for Iowa, 2026Warnings in Iowa, June 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1352969, 1352970, 1352971, 1352972, 1352412, 1352413, 1352980, 1352978, 1352974, 1352979, 1352981, 1352977, 1352973, 1352975, 1352976, 1352982, 1352987, 1352986, 1352414, 1352983, 1352984, 1352985, 1352418, 1352422, 1352989, 1352993, 1352990, 1352991, 1354798, 1354796, 1352992, 1352988, 1352999.