Rare tornado strikes Sutton; creates state of emergency

An unusual tornado struck the community of Sutton at 6:53 Saturday morning causing considerable damage to the northeast Clay County community.

The National Weather Service has estimated the peak wind speed was 110 miles per hour. The tornado traveled about 1.6 miles and at its maximum was 260 yards wide. It lasted about 3 minutes. Rated as an EF-1, it was a small one for Nebraska tornadoes but for those in its path the damage was substantial.

One of those businesses hit was the Clay County News office. The newspaper office has been relocated to the Sutton Community Center. Tory Duncan, the new...