For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
A deadly super-cell thunderstorm system bringing a swarm of tornadoes has ripped through towns and villages in north-east Nebraska, US, killing a five-year-old child and injuring dozens of people.
A state of emergency has been declared by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, as officials announced that the small town of Pilger was simply “gone” in the wake of the storm.
Show all 17 1 /17In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Two tornados approach Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/Eric Anderson
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Large tornadoes hit rural areas of northeastern Nebraska, with reports of property damage, according to forecasters and the Weather Channel
REUTERS/Dustin Wilcox/TwisterChasers
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A woman walks down Black Hills Trail road in Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/Mark 'Storm' Farnik
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Ruth Labenz is assisted to safety by a Stanton County Sherriff's officer after her home was destroyed in the town of Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/Mark 'Storm' Farnik
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A man holds a girl after she was pulled from the basement of her destroyed home in Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/Mark 'Storm' Farnik
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Rick Wimer (L) and Steven Brune, both with West Point volunteer fire raise a flag in front of the Pilger Senior Center in Pilger Nebraska
AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A police officer exits the Wisner-Pilger Middle School after checking for people stuck inside, in Pilger Nebraska
AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Firefighters go door to door and check homes for people after a tornado struck in Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A door is marked after it was searched by rescue workers, in Pilger Nebraska
AP Photo/The World-Herald, Ryan Soderlin
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Tim Nelson searches for survivors in Pilger, Nebraska after the tornadoes hit
AP Photo/The Omaha World-Herald/Ryan Soderlin
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Severely damaged homes and buildings are seen after a tornado in Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/The Journal-Star, Stacie Scott
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A man talks on the phone in front of tornado-damaged buildings in Pilger, Nebraska
REUTER/Lane Hickenbottom
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Gavin Johnston, whose home was damaged by a tornado, walks past another damaged home in Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/The Journal-Star, Stacie Scott
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes Denis Gentrup, 72, rests atop his roof a tornado hit his property between Pilger and Wisner Nebraska
REUTER/Lane Hickenbottom
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A tornado touches down near Pilger, Nebraska
REUTERS/Dustin Wilcox/TwisterChasers
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A still from a video provided by StormChasingVideo.com shows a tornado approaching Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/StormChasingVideo.com
In pictures: Deadly tornadoes hit Nebraska Nebraska tornadoes A tornado forms over a house near Pilger, Nebraska
AP Photo/Mark 'Storm' Farnik
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies