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Devastating tornadoes destroyed homes as they ravaged Nebraska and Iowa, and the threat of dangerous weather increased significantly Saturday as tornado-spawning storms posed a threat from Michigan to Texas.

Authorities say the Elkhorn area of Omaha, Nebraska, is one of the hardest-hit communities after severe storms hit parts of the Plains and South early Friday afternoon . Local authorities said a powerful tornado leveled homes and crews were searching for anyone trapped or injured.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Iowa, a major tornado was reported in the small town of Minden, according to the National Weather Service. Images obtained by CNN show the devastation of mangled buildings and scattered debris.

The threat of severe weather is expected to persist through Sunday, with Saturday likely the most dangerous day. Strong tornadoes are possible from Nebraska to Texas, Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City and Wichita.

The storm center issued a tornado warning Saturday — affecting 1.5 million people — for eastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska, including the cities of Topeka and Wichita. The watch includes threats of a few tornadoes, two severe tornadoes, widespread large hail and damaging winds up to 75 mph through 7 p.m. Local hour.

According to the National Weather Service, 18 million people in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas were under flood watches as of Sunday afternoon. Destructive long-range tornadoes and heavy rain are expected, with the worst storms occurring this evening and Saturday night.

Here is the last one:

• Four people in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, were injured by the storm and received medical treatment, county emergency management officials said in a news release Saturday morning.

• Nearly 120 homes and businesses were damaged in Pottawattamie County, where Minden is located and has a population of about 90,000. Rescue officials said: “Preliminary information indicates varying degrees of damage. »

• Omaha's Eppley Airport reopened for flight operations Saturday, but delays were expected, city officials said. The passenger terminal was not affected by the storm, but damage assessment at the airport is still underway.

• Two people in Omaha received medical treatment for minor injuries after a tornado ripped through the Elkhorn area Friday. “We believe there were very few injuries because the warning systems in the city of Omaha and Douglas County were very effective,” Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said. “We were not hit by a sudden storm, which helped save lives. »

• Emergency managers in Shelby and Douglas counties in Nebraska said no serious injuries were reported after several tornadoes struck their communities Friday. However, authorities said the storms caused significant property damage and residents were displaced.

• On the outskirts of Lincoln, Nebraska, a tornado ripped off roofs and crossed part of I-80 as it passed. Several train cars were derailed near Waverly after being hit by a tornado, according to a railroad spokesperson.

• In response to the tornado that struck Minden, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster declaration to support storm recovery efforts in Pottawattamie County.

• At least two tornadoes were observed in Texas Friday afternoon. Video posted to social media showed an apparent tornado moving across a large field northeast of Waco.

• Nearly 80 tornadoes were reported Friday in at least five states, many of which were confirmed by weather services or images from storm chasers.

“We are grateful to be alive”

Jason Sunday, a resident of hard-hit Elkhorn, Omaha, described the tornado as a "freight train." As he approached, he sought to hide in his house, which he had just moved into 30 days earlier, CNN affiliate KETV reported.

"We saw it coming from the southwest, and when it got too close, we quickly went down. We were in the bathtub in the basement, and it was like the movie said, it was like a freight train."

"And you knew the ceiling was sliding because it was a loud noise and sucking. It was very scary."

The tornado caused significant damage to the Sunday family's dream home.

"We are grateful to be alive. We are very grateful," he added on Sunday.

John Wells, a cleanup volunteer in Blair Township, north of Omaha, said he saw extensive damage from Friday's storm.

"There are propane tanks that are overturned. There are houses that aren't even established, we don't even know where they were," he told KETV. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

What to expect on Saturday

More than 50 million people are at risk of severe weather Saturday, from the Southern Plains to the Great Lakes region.

“A serious, complex but potentially significant weather episode is expected on Saturday,” the Weather Forecast Center said on Friday.

The heaviest storms will likely begin in the afternoon across parts of the southern and central Plains, where there is a risk of level 4 out of 5 severe thunderstorms. Widespread and damaging wind gusts, hailstones of the size of a baseball and powerful tornadoes are major storm hazards.

“Several strong tornadoes are likely, and a few long-range EF3+ tornadoes (winds between 136 and 265 mph) will be possible,” the Storm Prediction Center said.

The tornado threat could intensify significantly during the afternoon and evening, with the potential for "several strong tornadoes," according to the forecast center.

Damaging storms are possible outside the most dangerous zone across much of the country, from the Great Lakes to southern Texas.

Rain could also be the cause on Saturday.

Some areas could receive nearly 5 inches of rain in a short period of time and lead to dangerous flash flooding. A few places that experienced multiple rounds of torrential rain could total near the 8-inch mark.

There is a Level 3 of 4 risk of heavy rain for much of Oklahoma – including Oklahoma City and Tulsa – and smaller parts of Kansas and Texas. Heavy rains can force rivers to overflow their banks and flood roads.

Sunday there could still be storms

Damaging storms are also possible Sunday from Texas to Wisconsin. But the exact timing, size and strength of these storms will largely depend on Saturday night's storms.

It should be noted that areas stretching from northeast Texas to southern Iowa and western Illinois are most likely to experience damaging storms that can bring high winds and large hailstones. One or two isolated tornadoes are also possible.

Heavy rain and flooding are possible, especially in parts of the lower Mississippi Valley.

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