10 Years Later: Pilger, Nebraska standing strong after EF-4 tornadoes on June 16, 2014

PILGER, Neb. (KTIV) – On June 16, 2014, four EF-4 tornadoes touched down in northeast Nebraska. One of them tore through the Village of Pilger, damaging or destroying over half of the buildings in the Stanton County town.

The four violent tornadoes erupted over an hour and a half that afternoon. The first EF-4 struck an in-home daycare outside of Stanton. Thankfully, no one was injured inside.

The 2nd EF-4, what would be the first of the twins, tore a diagonal path through the Village of Pilger, all but leveling the small community of under 400. A 5-year-old girl was killed in Pilger, her mother critically injured as they attempted to seek shelter.

The 3rd EF-4, the second of the twins, would developed alongside its sister, tearing a path through the countryside. The twins would travel in sync across Stanton County, eventually crossing paths and dissipating.

Another person was killed when the truck they were driving was swept off the road in the twisters.

A 4th EF-4 would be the last to develop, destroying several rural homes and farms outside of Wakefield.

This day would go down in meteorological history, and change the landscape of rural northeast Nebraska forever.

Coming up this Thursday night, a special, extended edition of News 4 at 6 with KTIV’s Matt Breen and Chief Meteorologist Ron Demers.

Join us for a KTIV News 4 Special Report: “The Town Too Tough To Die: The Pilger Tornadoes – 10 Years Later.”

You’ll hear from first responders, survivors and we will show you never-before-seen video.

This special, hour long report airs this Thursday night at 6 on KTIV.

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