Severe storms bring tornadoes, train derailment to Nebraska panhandle

BINGHAM, Neb. — A powerful tornado derailed an empty coal train west of Ashby on Sunday evening, part of a severe weather outbreak that battered the Nebraska Panhandle and north-central Nebraska with multiple tornadoes, large hail and strong winds.

At approximately 6:27 p.m., a tornado measuring more than one mile wide derailed about 130 railcars near mile marker 132 along Highway 2, according to initial reports. BNSF officials responded to the scene, and the Nebraska State Patrol was en route to assist. Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas confirmed Highway 2 remained open and power lines that were briefly down in the area have since been restored.

No immediate injuries were reported. The lead engine remained upright on the tracks, with two people reportedly on board.

Jorge Valdez, who arrived at the scene after the storm passed, described the moments after the derailment.

"Once I got to the train, I felt like I had to stop and make sure if it was the head end to make sure they were OK," Valdez said. "Glad it was the tail end of the train. Once I got to the head end, I saw one of the train crew come out and looked like he was OK."

The tornado that caused the derailment was one of several reported across the region. A funnel cloud was spotted near Ellsworth around 5:13 p.m., followed by reports of golf ball-sized hail minutes later. Quarter-sized hail was also reported near Hyannis. By 5:42 p.m., a tornado was confirmed three miles southwest of Bingham, with additional tornado sightings south of Bingham before 6 p.m.

"It was unbelievable at first because it was my family and I’s first time witnessing something like that," Valdez said. "We didn’t know what to do actually, so we just waited it out. Witnessed hail and strong winds."

At 6:07 p.m., teacup-sized hail — roughly three inches in diameter — was reported east of Bingham. The National Weather Service issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Tornado Warning, noting multiple tornadoes and extremely large hail across southwestern Cherry, northwestern Grant, northern Garden and southeastern Sheridan counties.

Storm activity remained intense into the evening. A stovepipe tornado was reported north of Ashby at 7:11 p.m., followed by another tornado north of Hyannis. Spotters later reported teacup-sized hail near Whitman and a tornado about 20 miles north of Whitman shortly before 9 p.m. Quarter-sized hail was reported at Box Butte Dam, while radar confirmed another tornado southwest of Merritt Reservoir late Sunday night. Chadron registered a wind gust of 57.5 mph.

Storm chasers reported another tornado three miles west-southwest of Merritt Reservoir in Cherry County at 9:51 p.m. MDT.