Power Outage in Crete, NE

Personal weather station measured a 62 mph wind. Emergency manager reported power was out in town.

Periods of freezing rain produced widespread ice accumulations across the county. General ice accumulations of a quarter to over a half was reported across the county. This resulted in tree damage, as well as power outages.

A measured wind gust to 65 mph was recorded in Wilber. The wind downed large tree branches in the city of Wilber. The wind also downed power poles to the west of Wilber that resulted in many rural electrical customers in Saline County to lose power.

Based on surface observations from surrounding AWOS stations and information provided by local emergency management, the area experienced wind speeds of up to 40 mph. The strong winds combined with falling and blowing snow to reduce visibilities to less than a quarter of a mile, especially in open areas. The combination of the wind and snow led to a power sub station near Wilbur to go offline on the evening of the 19th leading to widespread power outages for rural customers.

Snowfall of 5 to 9 inches fell across Saline county with 9 inches near Friend and 8 inches in Crete and Dorchester among the highest received in the county. The heavy wet snow caused some scattered tree damage and power outages in the county and Norris Public Power reported that 700 customers lost power in Saline and Lancaster counties.

An estimated 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch of ice accumulation fell over much of the county. When the winds picked up during the winter storm/blizzard that followed the ice storm, the ice covered power lines began whipping in the wind and tree limbs fell on power lines causing scattered power outages over the region. Norris Public Power reported that 2500 customers in a 5 county area, including many residents in Swanton, lost power from the storm.

Freezing rain accumulated around a quarter of an inch over much of the county. The freezing rain was mixed with some sleet which helped limit the amount of icing that accumulated on trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at over 60 mph knocked down numerous trees and caused power outages in the Crete area. The fallen trees caused scattered house and vehicle damage in town.

Freezing rain accumulated between 1/2 and 1 inch across the county causing widespread minor to moderate tree damage. A few power lines were downed and other damage was also noted in a few locations.|

Freezing rain accumulated around 1/4 of an inch over much of the county. The icing downed tree limbs and caused scattered power outages, however much of the ice began melting by late morning as temperatures climbed above freezing.

Thunderstorm winds downed several large trees in town. The winds were estimated at over 60 mph and caused some power outages.

Trees and power lines were downed near Crete by thunderstorm wind gusts.