Officials say a tornado that swept through a rural southeast Nebraska town destroyed a home, while the homeowner hung onto a tree outside.

The National Weather Service in Omaha reported at least one tornado touched down Monday afternoon near Nehawka, about 30 miles south of Omaha.

Sandy Weyers, Cass County Emergency Management director, says the homeowner didn’t make it inside by the time a tornado arrived in the area so he grabbed hold of a tree and “rode it out.”

The man only suffered a few cuts and scrapes, but Weyers said the home was a total loss. No one was in the home when the roof and outer walls collapsed.