April 23, 2008 Tornado Southeast of Bridgeport, Nebraska
On April 23rd at about 5:30 PM a slow moving severe thunderstorm produced a tornado southeast of Bridgeport, Nebraska. Results from a storm survey conducted by John Griffith, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Cheyenne, Wyoming, indicated that the tornado initially touched down about 9 miles southeast of Bridgeport. The tornado then proceeded to move in a rather unusual northwesterly direction for about 2 miles before dissipating. The tornado remained over open country for the most part, but did cause severe damage to a house and outbuildings along Road 78 west of U.S. Highway 385. Debris from that area was found over a mile away. The tornado was determined to be of a strength category of EF1 (Enhanced Fujita Scale 1) with winds estimated to be from 100 to 110 miles per hour, and had an estimated width of approximately 350 yards.
Below is a map depicting the estimated track of the tornado.
The parent thunderstorm produced significant hail damage to the north of the tornado, with large hail falling for up to a half hour in the city of Bridgeport. Below is a photograph of the tornado taken southeast of Bridgeport at the time.
Photo courtesy of Pat Herz
Below is a map depicting the estimated track of the tornado.
The parent thunderstorm produced significant hail damage to the north of the tornado, with large hail falling for up to a half hour in the city of Bridgeport. Below is a photograph of the tornado taken southeast of Bridgeport at the time.
Photo courtesy of Pat Herz
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