Massive tornado destroys Ashby home, flattens buildings, kills livestock

ASHBY, Neb. - An exceptionally wide tornado tore through Nebraska’s Sandhills Sunday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction. As storm chasers from across the country captured dramatic footage of the storm, one Ashby family lost their home, their belongings, and several head of cattle — but say they are grateful that no lives were lost.

For 35 years, the kitchen was the heart of Kathy Cover’s home — a place where she prepared countless meals for her husband, children, and grandchildren.

“This is where we spent a lot of time — at the bar counter. Kids colored here. We ate here,” Kathy said.

Kathy and her husband, Tim, were visiting family when the tornado tore through their property near Ashby. A hired hand who was on the ranch rode out the storm in the basement.

“The roof is gone, but the basement is still good,” Tim said.

Their belongings were scattered across a nearby pasture. Hay bales were thrown throughout the home and property, tossed about as if they weighed nothing at all.

"There's an old shop that's completely gone. There was an almost new calving barn by that truck. The roof off the horse barn is gone,” said the Covers' son, Jeff.

In addition to the damage to their home and outbuildings, the family lost a couple of calves, and some other livestock were injured.

“It’s very hard,” Tim said.

As the family begins to pick up the pieces, the National Weather Service is surveying the damage.

"The survey is still ongoing, but it is rare to see something this wide in this area," said Shawn Jacobs, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Amid the devastation, the strength of the Ashby community has been a source of comfort.

“When I got over here, I bet there were 50 to 100 people here—just neighbors showing up to help,” Jeff said.

While Kathy may never again stand at the bar counter that once served as the heart of her home, she remains thankful for what matters most.

“We’re blessed that no one got hurt, and we’re blessed with the people in our area,” Tim said.

In the face of staggering loss, the Covers are choosing to count their blessings — not what’s gone.