A destroyed home and trees with all their limbs gone in Hallam, Neb., after the 2004 tornado tore through. (Photo from the Omaha/Valley, Neb., office of the National Weather Service)

“The tornado reached a peak width of 2.5 miles…”

Sunday marks the anniversary of the widest tornado ever recorded. The tornado reached a peak width of 2.5 miles as it tore through southeastern Nebraska in 2004.

The tornado touched down two miles north of Daykin, Neb., at 7:30 p.m. CDT Saturday, May 22, 2004.

The tornado then proceeded northeastward, strengthening to its most intense stage from the towns of Wilber to Hallam. It is during this time, the tornado’s width grew to a record-breaking 2.5 miles.

The tornado was given an F4 ranking from north of Clatonia to Hallam. The tornado demolished many well-built homes, grain bins, farm sheds, outbuildings and trees within this corridor. The town of Hallam escaped the worst of the tornado’s fury, but many structures still suffered considerable damage.

After slamming Hallam, the width of the tornado lessened to about a mile wide. The twister, however, continued to cause significant destruction.

Schools north of Firth sustained severe damage. The roof of the middle school’s auditorium collapsed, and several walls caved in. School buses were also tossed. Northeast of the schools, the tornado flattened several homes.

After continuing northeastward for a time, the record-breaking tornado finally dissipated a mile west of Palmyra at 9:10 p.m.