October 10, 2001 OCTOBER SURPRISE: Tornadoes rip through central Nebraska. An October surprise hit Nebraska Tuesday night. Tornadoes swept through central areas of Nebraska causing widespread damage, minor injuries, but no deaths. Areas of Hamilton, Merrick, Polk, Nance, Platte and Stanton counties were hit. One farmer in Polk, Nebraska sought shelter at a relative’s home when he saw the storm approaching. When he returned to his farm house after the tornado, there wasn’t much of it left. Two farm homes were also destroyed north of Central City, causing $900,000 in damage. There were many witnesses to the tornadoes as they approached. Nebraska was enjoying unseasonably warm and humid weather that made conditions ripe for storminess upon the passing of a strong cold front. The tornado outbreak was not limited to Nebraska. Numerous areas of Oklahoma also saw tornado touchdowns and damage. Tornadoes don’t usually occur in Nebraska in October, but as Nebraskans know, when it comes to the weather in Nebraska, anything is possible. Full story from the Lincoln Journal-Star. More from the Grand Island Independent. More Nebraska News