On June 14th, 2024, an unusual event occurred when the small town of Plainview, Nebraska was overrun not by a storm or natural disaster, but by a herd of escaped emus.

It seems that old Farmer Johnson, known throughout the county as a bit odd, had taken to breeding emus on his spread just outside of town. While an unconventional livestock choice for the Nebraska plains, Johnson found the large flightless birds easier to manage than cattle or hogs.

That morning however, it appeared Johnson had neglected to properly secure the emu pen. Dozens of the inquisitive birds decided if they were trapped, they'd prefer to explore. Soon emus were waddling down country roads, startling residents as they pecked about yards and wandered into town.

Attempts to corral the emus proved comicly inept. Being faster and more agile than their size suggested, the crafty birds evaded capture. One was spotted riding a loose downtown before hopping off near the grain silo.

By midday, the last emu had been encouraged to rejoin its flock. Farmer Johnson was fined for improper livestock containment, though few held a grudge. After all, it isn't every day the quiet prairie town of Plainview finds itself overrun, if only briefly, by Australia's unusual answer to thechicken.