Thunderstorms moved through eastern Nebraska one after another Wednesday evening, bringing tornado damage to Seward County and reports of large hail, high winds and tornadoes throughout the area. 
 

Duffek Implement east of Seward, Neb., sustained major damage when a tornado tore through the area Wednesday night.

A tornado watch for southeastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa - including the Omaha metropolitan area - was to continue until at least 5 a.m. today. 

Tornadoes damaged several houses just east and north of Seward, Neb., about 6:45 p.m., said Barb Liska, director of communications for Seward County. She said some buildings were flattened, but she didn't know whether they were houses. 

Liska said one person was treated for minor injuries at Seward Hospital, and another was hospitalized for observation. 

Two or three twisters touched down, Liska said. Seward County police and fire officials spotted the tornadoes. 

The Rev. Jeff Collins, who lives about five miles east of Seward, said he watched as the storm developed for about 25 minutes and then hit the ground. 

"It seemed like it was a mile wide," Collins said. 

A nearby farmstead was destroyed, he said. 

"There are some metal outbuildings that are basically in shreds," Collins said. "It looked like it just took a can opener to them." 

Debris from damaged homes and downed power lines led authorities to close U.S. Highway 34 from 10 miles east of Seward to the Lancaster County line, Liska said. 

Tanks of propane and anhydrous ammonia were damaged near the highway. Hazardous-materials crews were called to help clean up the scene. 

Fire and police departments in surrounding counties were placed on standby. 

In southern Seward County, some motorists took shelter at a rest stop near Goehner where hail as large as baseballs was reported. Goehner is about 30 miles west of Lincoln. 

Brian Barnes, 42, of Clarkson, Wash., was driving a semitrailer truck when he was warned by radio about severe weather. Barnes and his wife managed to make it to the rest stop before the hail began falling about 7:30 p.m. 

The hail was amazing, he said. He picked up one of the hailstones and took a picture of it. 

"I'm going to show the picture we took and tell how exciting, nervous and scared we were," Barnes said. 

Golfball-size hail was reported in Stanton, Colfax, Burt and Cuming Counties. Cuming County officials also reported wind damage. 

In Saunders County, there were several unconfirmed reports of tornadoes near Mead, Ceresco and Valparaiso. None touched down. 

The storm system also touched Dodge, Washington and Butler Counties as it moved northeast. Pea-size hail and heavy rain were reported. There were no reports of damage. 

A tornado warning was issued for northwest Douglas County but did not include Omaha. 

A tornado was confirmed in Lancaster County near Pawnee Lake, west of Lincoln, said Doug Ahlberg, the county's director of emergency management. No damage was reported. 

In southern Nebraska, a spotter in Thayer County confirmed that a tornado had touched down three miles east of Hubbell. 

A dispatcher with the Sheriff's Office confirmed that there had been damage, but no reports were to be released until this morning. 

Debris was reported covering Nebraska Highway 8 near Reynolds after the area was hit by 100 mph winds that moved through Jefferson County at 9:35 p.m. The village and the surrounding area were left without power for several hours. 

In Omaha, lightning strikes started several house fires, including one about midnight that caused $10,000 to $15,000 in damage to a home at 2731 N. 41st St., Fire Capt. Charlie Neumann said. 

Nolan Windom was in the living room of the house when the lightning struck: "I just heard a loud explosion and then saw sparks through a window." 

Windom said he grabbed his dog and ran outside. He saw flames engulfing a second-floor window air conditioner. 

World-Herald staff writer Joe Dejka contributed to this report, which includes material from the Associated Press.