A pair of tornadoes tore through northeastern Nebraska on Monday afternoon, killing at least two people including a five-year-old child.

Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger says the Village of Pilger was evacuated overnight, but residents were expected to be allowed back in after daybreak Tuesday to recover whatever belongings they could locate. The village took a direct hit.

A tornado was observed crossing Highway 24 just west of the city of Stanton, Nebraska at approximately 3:45pm Monday.

After the tornado passed, Sheriff Unger says his team discovered a farm house that had been destroyed. The house was also used as a daycare center. Four victims were found in the wreckage.

Unger says reports of a second tornado came in shortly thereafter. Spotters confirmed in advance that it was moving directly toward Pilger, Ne. A large part of the village and its infrastructure were leveled, including major damage to the Fire Department Building.

The Sheriff says a total of 18 patients were taken to , where the five-year-old child died. A second victim died in a vehicle in Cuming County. Several other patients were taken to hospitals outside Pilger for treatment, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“Houses are plumb gone,” Stanton County Commissioner Jerry Weatherholt told the Associated Press. “The co-op is gone, the grain bins are gone, and it looks like almost every house in town has some damage. It’s a complete mess.”

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