We're no strangers to tornadoes here in Nebraska; many of us are seasoned armchair meteorologists and spend every tornado season analyzing weather patterns. But there are a few storms that really stand out in our history. The tornado that ripped through southeastern Nebraska in 2004 was one of the largest and most destructive on record.
On May 22, 2004, the sky was so dark it was almost like night. Strong storms were moving across Nebraska from southwest to northeast and picking up steam as they went.
By the time the storms neared Daykin, there was strong rotation that rapidly turned into an enormous tornado. It varied in strength as it moved northeast, but it reached F4 status several times. The winds reached speeds of up to 200 MPH. These videos show the terrifying, incredible power of this natural disaster. At its peak, the Hallam tornado reached a whopping 2.5 miles across. Until a 2014 storm in Oklahoma, the Hallam storm was the widest tornado on record.
The town of Hallam was hit the hardest, hence the tornado's title. It was all but leveled after the storm left a wide swath of destruction in its path.
One person was killed and 37 were injured. Most of the town's homes were destroyed and the rest were damaged. And this little town of just a few hundred lost 70 residents who chose to move away rather than rebuild after the storm.
This incredible tornado remains the second-widest ever recorded, and it left several communities picking up the pieces for many years.
Do you remember where you were when the massive tornado struck in 2004? Share your stories in the comments section.
For more of Nebraska's most serious disasters, read this article from the archives.
As you can probably guess, there are many abandoned places in Omaha and Nebraska. As people have moved away from their family farms and into towns and cities, plenty of buildings, barns, farmhouses, and even farm equipment have simply been left to rot away. The following 15 abandoned places in Nebraska are slowly being taken over and consumed by Mother Nature long after humans have moved away and have completely forgotten about them.
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1. The Israel Beetison House in Ashland, Nebraska.
Many of these structures have since been razed or otherwise destroyed, whereas others stand exactly as they were when their photographs were taken. We'd like to hope that at least some of them were rescued by people who loved them and restored them to their former functionality. Have you explored much of abandoned Nebraska? Ever considered a road trip to see all the abandoned places in Nebraska? It would not be a bad weekend adventure, if you ask me!
It's not often that you find a place that's truly unique, the only one of its kind on the planet. That's just what Jeff and Jan Lewis of Prague, Nebraska, have created. Their cut-flower maze, A-Mazing Flowers and Studio, is a one-of-a-kind destination that will win the hearts of each and every visitor. It makes spring in Nebraska even more special! This flower maze in Nebraska will blow you away once you've experienced it.
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This a-maze-ing idea came about when the couple, like so many other retired Nebraskans, decided to open a post-retirement business. Jeff is a lifelong gardener and Jan is a skilled pressed-flower artist, so a cut-your-own flower garden seemed like a good fit.
There are dozens of raised garden beds, arranged in a maze-like pattern and carrying more than 75 types of flowers. Each section of the maze is color-coded, so you can "shop" for flowers based on a certain color scheme or a recipient's favorite hue.
The maze is here to provide a unique day out in nature, but also to give people a less expensive way to enjoy beautiful fresh flower arrangements. Coming out and picking your own bucket full of stems is nice and affordable. There is even a reduced-cost option for visitors who bring their own vases.
Before building the maze, the couple researched flowers that weren't widely available at local florist shops so they could offer something different. Here, you can make truly unique arrangements using some uncommon flowers, and they'll be extra special because you chose each flower by hand.
Even if you're not planning a special event or shopping for anyone in particular, an afternoon in the flower maze will leave you feeling relaxed and blissful. How could you possibly be stressed out or unhappy in a place like this?
Choosing and cutting the perfect flowers will happen on a guided tour of the Nebraska flower maze. Either Jeff or Jan will take you through the maze, which is a big part of the fun. They're both friendly people who are clearly enthusiastic about sharing this dreamy place with the world.
There are several hidden areas throughout the maze that will inspire you to simply stand (or sit) and marvel at the beauty of nature that's all around you.
Each section of the maze is marked with a fun wooden plaque that was hand-made by Jeff's father. Talent clearly runs in the family, because these signs are some of the most delightful parts of the garden.
And because flowers made such a perfect backdrop for photographs, there's a special photo-op location in the maze. There is currently no fee to use the space for a 15-minute photo session.
In the fall after most of the flowers have stopped blooming, the focus will be more on spectacularly colored ears of corn and other natural objects that will make perfect centerpieces.
There's one more place you've got to visit before you leave: the studio. It was formerly a little garage, but it now has crafting supplies and space for groups as well as already-made art that you can buy.
Doesn't this look like the perfect gift for the flower lover in your life? The pressed flowers used in the studio were all hand-pressed right there using a homemade flower press. You can take home a kit to press your own flowers or buy some pre-pressed for use in your future projects.
You can also book some studio time to make your very own works of art before you even get home. Bring your wedding party, a group of friends, or a gardening club out for a fun experience you just can't find anywhere else.
If you have been searching for "flower mazes near me," you have found a fantastic one to visit this season!
The maze opened to the public for the first time in the spring of 2020, so it's still undergoing constant refinements and changes as the owners learn more about their business and their customers. Tours must be booked in advance and are quite limited since the garden can only produce so many blooms. You can tour the maze for free with no flower purchase required (donations are gratefully accepted), but you will still need an appointment even if you aren't taking any flowers home. Contact A-Mazing Flowers and Studio through their Facebook page or call them at (402) 304-8916.
Have you had the pleasure of visiting this lovely maze? Please tell us what your favorite part was in the comments section! We would love to hear about your experiences.
If you're road-tripping around the countryside this season, take a look at The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List by OnlyInYourState so you will always be prepared for what comes your way. It's the perfect way to explore the great outdoors in such a beautiful season.
