Tornado Strikes Lancaster County Business with 70 Employees Present

A devastating tornado hit Garner Industries in northeast Lancaster County on Friday afternoon, trapping 70 workers inside the building. Lancaster County Chief Deputy Ben Houchin reported that the tornado struck the facility near N 98th Street and Cornhusker Highway between Lincoln and Waverly at around 3 p.m., causing the building to collapse.

Three workers were injured in the incident and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, but are expected to recover. The rest of the workers were safely evacuated to the Sandhills Global Event Center. The Bryan Trauma Center at Bryan West Campus also treated two patients who sustained injuries from tornadoes in the area.

As a result of the tornado, part of Highway 6 near 98th Street remains closed, with authorities urging drivers to avoid the area. Additionally, a train between Waverly and Lincoln was struck by the same tornado, causing multiple cars to derail. Fortunately, no crew members were injured, and no hazardous materials were released.

Garner Industries, a plastic injection molding service, suffered significant damage from the tornado. BNSF personnel are currently on site working to clear the train derailment safely. If you have any weather photos or videos to share, you can upload them to the news station’s website. Stay updated on this developing story by subscribing to 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts.