The National Weather Service in Valley, NE., confirmed,Wednesday an EF-1 Tornado struck about two-miles south and west of Avoca Wednesday afternoon, sometime around 2-p.m. The twister, which was seen on various pictures captured by motorists and residents, had a path about four-miles long, and packed winds of up to 110-miles per hour.

The tornado dissipated about four-miles north of Avoca. It’s strength was based on preliminary information compiled during a damage assessment. Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed told KJAN News Wednesday evening, that the tornado was primarily in the rural areas, where it took out at least one corn crib, which was blown across a neighboring field, and a power pole.

Reed said the twister next hit an eastbound semi, blowing it across the interstate to the west side and into the ditch. The driver was not injured. It continued north across York Road, and caused the road to be blocked with downed trees and power lines. The twister then entered Shelby County, where it caused some damage to rural outbuildings and grain bins. No injuries were reported.

Reed said “Even though it’s November, we just kind of went through our regular protocol with the severe weather threat today (Wednesday), and had storm spotters and people from the fire/rescue departments already out when the [National] Weather Service told us that things were ramping-up a little bit for areas of our county. [It was] A quick response, organized response by all, and kinda worked out well, and we’re glad it was isolated to kind of rural areas, with minor damage.”