Clip shows tornadoes in Nebraska in 2014, not from Hurricane Milton | Fact check
The claim: Video shows tornadoes in Florida during Hurricane Milton
An Oct. 10 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) includes a clip showing a driver’s view of two tornadoes moving across a rural landscape.
“It’s been reported multi-numerous (sic) Tornadoes yesterday across Florida, estimates of over 50+,” reads part of the post.
Other versions of the claim spread widely on Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
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Our rating: False
The video included in the post predates Hurricane Milton by more than 10 years. It shows tornadoes in Nebraska in 2014.
Storm chaser shared footage years ago
The Facebook post came a day after Hurricane Milton barreled into Florida as a Category 3 storm, killing at least 14 people and leaving millions without power. Several deaths were attributed to suspected tornadoes, which were spotted in the state before the hurricane made landfall.
But the clip in the social media posts is unrelated to those events.
Storm chaser Ricky Forbes, who was part of the show “Tornado Hunters,” posted the same clip on several of his social media accounts long before the Florida storm.
“Close encounter with a pair of tornadoes in ‘14 in NE,” Forbes said of the clip in a 2020 X post. “As the driver, you are responsible for the team’s safety. It can be really terrifying to keep moving forward.”
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Forbes was referring to tornadoes that swept through Nebraska in June 2014. Two people were killed and dozens more were injured, USA TODAY reported.
The Associated Press published a similar video at the time that also showed two tornadoes sweeping rural Nebraska.
USA TODAY has debunked an array of claims related to Hurricane Milton, including false assertions that Florida was charging tolls on evacuation routes as of Oct. 8, that a video shows the Florida hurricane and that Hurricane Milton reached “Category 6” strength.
USA TODAY reached out to users who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Full Fact also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
Ricky Forbes, July 19, Instagram post
Ricky Forbes, Nov. 19, 2023, Facebook post
Ricky Forbes, Feb. 5, 2020, X post
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, this video doesn't show 2024 Florida tornadoes | Fact check