Columbus, Nebraska Tornado Videos, June 23, 1998

On the evening of June 23, 1998, a supercell thunderstorm produced an awesome and at times terrifying tornado display through the countryside of Platte and Colfax County, Nebraska, specifically around the Columbus region. Several residents recorded views of this significant tornado on videotape, three of which are featured in this composite video produced and made available by a local Nebraska cable access channel.

The final video in the series, recorded by Andy Olmer, became known as the "crazy farmer" footage by various storm chasers and meteorologists who circulated VHS videotape copies by word of mouth trade in the late 1990's and early 2000's. A lone utterance by farmer Olmer: "Susan, get my pants" was forever cemented into tornado video history from this point on, and why not! This incredible vortex display as it approached the Olmer farmstead, along with its vortex breakdown, is one of the most spectacular ever documented on home video in the late 1990's. It was never clear if Olmer ever obtained the requested pants prior to seeking shelter.

National Geographic followed up with Andy Olmer years later in this separate 2005 piece:    • Meet the "Crazy Farmer" From the Columbus,...  

Other aspects of the storm included softball or larger size hail falling to earth as the tornado approached along with fantastic supercell mesocyclone structure from other perspectives. Two farmhouses were destroyed with six others severely damaged. 17 injuries were attributed to the tornado along with F2-rated [original scale] property damage.

Video © 1998 to all noted videographers.