Terrifying dust storm engulfs car in York, Nebraska: 'Oh my God, I'm in a tornado'
"All of a sudden the death started swirling around right next to me, and I was engulfed by the dust and debris," said Myles Nelson.
Watch: Terrifying moment dust surrounds car in York, Nebraska
Severe weather in parts of Nebraska on Thursday reduced road visibility as damaging winds whipped up dust and large debris, blanketing York in a brown haze as much of the state was put under a Tornado Watch.
YORK, Neb. – A harrowing scene unfolded across eastern Nebraska on Thursday as storms marched across the Plains.
Ferocious winds churned up dust and large debris, drastically reduced visibility and swallowed the town of York in a suffocating brown haze. Adding to the tension, much of the state was under a Tornado Watch at the time.
Video taken by Myles Nelson shows a column of swirling funnel cloud hover over buildings as a dust storm approaches in York, Nebraska, on Thursday. (Myles Nelson via Storyful)
A video taken by Myles Nelson showed a column of swirling clouds hovering over buildings as a possible gustnado approached.
"All of a sudden the death started swirling around right next to me, and I was engulfed by the dust and debris," Nelson said.
STORM TRACKER'S CAR BLASTED BY 80+ MPH WINDS AS SEVERE THUNDERSTORM TRIGGERS DUST STORM
Video taken by Myles Nelson shows a column of swirling funnel cloud hover over buildings as a dust storm approaches in York, Nebraska, on Thursday. (Myles Nelson via Storyful)
In the footage, Nelson can be heard reacting to the extreme weather event.
"Oh my God! I’m in a tornado!" he said as multiple emergency vehicles were seen driving directly into the swirling mass of dust.
LARGE TORNADO SPOTTED IN IOWA AS SEVERE STORMS BLAST PLAINS ON THURSDAY
Video taken by Myles Nelson shows a column of swirling funnel cloud hover over buildings as a dust storm approaches in York, Nebraska, on Thursday. (Myles Nelson via Storyful)
The National Weather Service reported estimated wind gusts of 60 mph in York, attributed to outflow winds, which can be just as dangerous as the tornadic winds themselves. Adding to the severity of the storm, reports also indicated golf-ball-sized hail falling in York County.
Thursday proved to be a significant day of severe weather in the Midwest and Plains, with a staggering 15 reports of tornadoes, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Ten occurred in Nebraska, while neighboring Iowa experienced five confirmed tornado reports.
FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Corey Gerken was also caught in a frenzy of dust near Schuyler, Nebraska. Winds of at least 80 mph were throwing dirt and debris at his vehicle as he spoke with FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender on Thursday night.
Storm tracker's car blasted by 80+ mph winds as severe thunderstorm triggers dust storm
FOX Weather Storm Tracker Corey Gerken tracking storms in Schuyler, Nebraska pulled over just as severe thunderstorms plastered his SUV with 80+ mph winds.
Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage caused by these storms.