Top 3 tornado videos of 2024
These videos illustrate the power and destruction of the April 2024 tornado outbreak.
The three biggest tornado videos of 2024 all came from the same tornado outbreak on April 26. AccuWeather’s Tony Laubach counts down the memorable scenes.
As the year draws to a close, AccuWeather is looking back at the top three tornado videos that captivated storm enthusiasts and the general public alike. With a staggering 1,768 twisters reported nationwide as of Dec. 20, 2024—far surpassing the average of 1,355—this year has been the most active tornado season since 2011.
The heightened activity was further intensified by several landfalling hurricanes, contributing to the unprecedented number of tornadoes. These extraordinary videos not only showcase the raw power and fury of nature but also underscore the remarkable weather events that defined 2024.
Each of the following videos is from the Plains and Midwest tornado outbreak of April 26, 2024, showcasing the destructive power of tornadoes that day.
#3: Massive tornado touches down in northeastern Nebraska
Kicking off our countdown is an early tornado from the outbreak captured up close. Imagine being one of the two individuals standing on the side of the road as the skies churned ominously above their hometown. This massive tornado descended to the ground in Elba, Nebraska, on April 26, taking down power lines and leaving a trail of destruction.
Meteorologist Tony Laubach got up close with a tornado as it crossed a highway in Elba, Nebraska, on April 26.
#2: Tornado and lightning in Minden, Iowa
The second video takes us just outside of Minden, Iowa, on April 26, where a vivid lightning flash dramatically illuminated another massive tornado. A rare shot of both atmospheric phenomena together, the combination of the tornado and the lightning creates a mesmerizing yet terrifying scene, emphasizing the dangers posed by severe weather.
#1: Destructive tornado crosses interstate near Lincoln, Nebraska
Claiming the top spot is an astonishing video captured along Interstate 80 near Lincoln, Nebraska, on the same day. As drivers crested a hill on the interstate, they were greeted by the sight of a massive, rapidly rotating tornado. For many who pulled over to witness this spectacle, it was a terrifying, once-in-a-lifetime experience. This towering tornado, one of the largest in the outbreak, provided a dramatic and unforgettable view for those in its path.
Honorable mention: Tornado destroys industrial building
Another infamous video, filmed from a dashcam of a parked car, shows the complete destruction of an industrial building during the tornado in Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 26, 2024.
First, the trees disappear, and then the building is ground up by the twister, which spits huge debris out of it as it passes directly in front of the camera. This tornado was rated EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with peak winds of 158 mph.
Texas had the most tornadoes of any state this year. Nebraska and Iowa ranked second with 131 tornadoes each. Missouri and Florida round out the Top 5. Florida isn't usually one of the top states for tornadoes, but the hurricanes this year spawned 103 twisters in the state.
