Power Outage in Ogallala, NE

Multiple 8 inch diameter branches from healthy trees snapped. There was also reports of no power along much of the north side of Lake McConaughy.

A wildfire started about one mile north of Interstate 80 near Paxton that was fanned by high winds. The high winds caused the wildfire to quickly spread southeast, crossing Interstate 80 and then burning for an additional 12 miles southeast into northeast Perkins County. The wildfire reached up to 1.5 miles wide. The wildfire destroyed two occupied homes, one abandoned home and various outbuildings were destroyed as well. In addition to building structures the wildfire destroyed several pieces of farm implements, while several power poles and culverts were damaged. The area burned was estimated at 10,000 acres of farm flat and rolling hills. Three firemen developed eye problems with one treated for an unknown illness. The wildfire led to evacuation orders for those in the path of the wildfire from east of Paxton to the south edge of the Keith-Perkins County Line in the southeast.

Downburst winds destroyed a two car garage, snapped a 12 inch diameter pine tree in half eight feet above the ground and downed several large cottonwood tree limbs. In the same area, the strong winds caused two power poles to bend over at 45 degree angles.

The public reported power lines down at the intersection of East 4th and J street. The downed power line started a tree on fire.

The Ogallala AWOS reported sustained southerly winds of around 40 MPH or greater with frequent gusts in excess of 50 mph between 1130 am and 230 pm MST. Strong southerly winds occurred across Keith County from late morning through the afternoon hours. The strong winds caused powerlines to produce sparks at 1130 am MST, which ignited a grass fire 15 miles north of Paxton. The wildfire burned approximately 6000 acres in Keith, McPherson, and Arthur Counties.

A tornado touched down along the Union Pacific railroad tracks near Highway 30 on the far west side of Ogallala and moved north-northeast. In the path, the tornado destroyed a garage, broke off power poles, destroyed outbuildings, lifted and moved vehicles, broke off trees, damaged roofs, and overturned horse trailers at a small farm and a veterinary hospital before lifting.

A tornado touched down along the Union Pacific railroad tracks near Highway 30 on the far west side of Ogallala and moved north-northeast. In the path, the tornado destroyed a garage, broke off power poles, destroyed outbuildings, lifted and moved vehicles, broke off trees, damaged roofs, and overturned horse trailers at a small farm and a veterinary hospital before lifting.

Thunderstorm outflow winds snapped off large tree limbs, broke off the top 150 feet of a 247 ft tower for KOGA radio, and destroyed six campers and extensively damaged seven other campers at a business one half mile south of Kingsley Dam. Nearby farmsteads received extensive damage to garages, barns, and outbuildings. Most doors on a storage facility near Kingsley Dam were damaged. Power poles and trees were also snapped off.

A powerful storm system brought Blizzard conditions to the western Sandhills into portions of southwest and north central Nebraska. Winter Storm conditions occurred to the east across portions of west central Nebraska into eastern portions of north central Nebraska. Northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts to around 40 mph combined with moderate to heavy snowfall to produce blizzard conditions. These blizzard conditions began during the early morning hours on December 13th and continued into the morning hours on December 16th in some counties. Winter Storm conditions began during the morning hours of December 13th and continued until the morning hours on December 16th in eastern portions of north central Nebraska. Snowfall amounts ranged from 8 to 15 inches across the northwest Sandhills and from 5 to 8 inches further south and east. Significant blowing and drifting occurred with near zero visibility a times. All roads across the western Sandhills and much of north central Nebraska were closed during this time.

A wildfire fanned by high winds caused a fire to quickly spread southeast, crossing Interstate 80 and then burning for an additional 12 miles southeast into northeast Perkins County. The wildfire reached up to 1.5 miles wide. The wildfire destroyed two occupied homes, one abandoned home and various outbuildings were destroyed as well. in addition to building structures the wildfire destroyed several pieces of farm implements, while several power poles and culverts were damaged. The area burned was estimated at 10,000 acres of farm flat and rolling hills. Three firemen developed eye problems with one treated for an unknown illness. The wildfire led to evacuation orders for those in the path of the wildfire from east of Paxton to the south edge of the Keith-Perkins County Line in the southeast.

A powerful low pressure system moved across western and north central Nebraska on Memorial Day. Thunderstorms developed along a cold front extending across central Nebraska. The storms tracked quickly northeast to produce hail up to 4 inches in diameter, damaging winds and several tornadoes.

Thunderstorms formed during the late evening and early morning hours across the Eastern Panhandle and strengthened as they moved eastward into the Sandhills and portions of Southwest Nebraska. These storms produced severe wind gusts up to 85 mph...snapped power poles...and damaged numerous trees.

A very strong low pressure system moved out of Colorado the Sunday after Thanksgiving and intensified as it moved northeast across the Western and Northern Plains hampering travel on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Snow developed over the area Sunday morning with snow accumulations of a trace to 3 inches before tapering off Monday. Northwest winds increased significantly Sunday night and continued through Monday afternoon. Damage due to the wind included trees falling on homes and power lines, numerous power lines and poles down, and highway signs destroyed. In Perkins County, the rural electric association reported 150 poles down along with 10 "H" type transmission structures destroyed in the Grainton area.Further east of this area, snow accumulations of 3 to 15 inches combined with the 55 to 75 mph winds to cause blizzard conditions in near zero visibility from Sunday night, November 27th through Monday night, November 28th. Interstate 80 and most secondary roads in the area were closed for 30 to 38 hours. Many travelers were stranded in their vehicles for 12 hours or more after getting stuck in deep snow. Thousands of other travelers spent time in temporary shelters waiting out the storm.

Strong west to northwest winds behind a powerful cold front combined with collapsing showers and thunderstorms to produce wind gusts to near 65 MPH. The winds remained strong for 1 to 2 hours before slowly subsiding. The winds produced a 20 minute power outage in Valentine. The winds also peeled two-thirds of the roof off the Rock County courthouse in Bassett. A large tree was also uprooted in Bassett as the strong winds moved through.