In a surprising twist of fate, dramatic footage of the devastating tornado that tore through the Midwest has emerged from a storm chaser that reveals just how close it came to disaster.
On April 26 in Dwight, Nebraska, Ben Ahrens, known for his daring storm chases, captured the moment a truck nearly collided with his car amid the chaos of the storm. This shocking video not only highlights the ferocity of tornadoes but also highlights the intense conditions faced by storm chasers and local residents.
New pictures and videos are constantly emerging showing just how destructive it all was. Storm chaser Ben Ahrens captured on one of those videos the moment his car was nearly hit by a truck on April 26 in Dwight, Nebraska. When the oncoming truck suddenly overturns and clips Ahrens’ car, it can be seen on video.
A semi ended my chase early today. I’m okay. What really matters is the devastating damage these storms have done and are continuing to do. #newx #wxtwitter pic.twitter.com/KbMnhKY2VE
— Ben Ahrens (@BDAhrensWX) April 26, 2024
However, Ahrens is able to turn the wheel and steer the semi off the road into a field before it completely overturns. Ahrens tweeted: “My chase was cut short by a truck early today. I’m fine. The massive devastation these storms have caused and continue to cause is what is most concerning.” Ahrens said he spoke with the sheriff after the crash and was told the truck driver was not injured.
“Knee injury, but otherwise fine,” he stated.
A number of places in Nebraska and other states were said to have been hit by tornadoes over the weekend. The National Weather Service categorized them as EF3 tornadoes, meaning winds can reach speeds of up to 168 miles per hour. So far, five people have reportedly died as a result of the storms in the Midwest.
Dramatic footage captured by Ben Ahrens highlights the sheer force and unpredictability of recent storms that have ravaged parts of Nebraska and other states. The harrowing incident where the truck nearly collided with Ahrens’ vehicle underscores the serious impact these tornadoes have had on the region.
Ahrens and the truck driver escaped relatively unscathed despite the close contact, a small mercy amid the wider destruction. With storms classified as EF3 and winds reaching speeds of up to 168 miles per hour, the scale of the destruction is significant, claiming five lives and leaving communities reeling in the aftermath. As recovery efforts continue, we will focus on addressing the extensive damage and supporting those affected by this tragic event.