Links:
FEMA Web Page about this Disaster
June 22 Megastorms - page from National Weather Service office in Hastings
Photo Log

Background:
Severe storms and tornadoes began occurring over Nebraska on June 23 due to a stalled weather front over the central plains. The National Weather Service predicted the potential for severe storms in the central plains from June 23-25. A series of storms, heavy rains, and tornadoes continued within the State of Nebraska. During th evening/morning of July 6-7, heavy wind damage was reported in the City of Omaha (Douglas County). During the evening/morning hours of July 8-9, a tornado was reported in the Village of Tryon (McPherson County). Initial damage reports in Tryon indicated the roof of the courthouse was blown off and landed in the public school building. The power was out in Tryon, but no deaths or injuries were reported.

During the evening hours of June 23, severe storms produced heavy rains and tornadoes in south central Nebraska. Damage reports were widespread and while State and local officials were collecting damage information, search and rescue operations were the State's priority. A National Guard helicopter was deployed to Gilead (Thayer County) to assist with rescue operations. Flood was reported in the Cities of Hubbell, Gilead, and Hebron (Thayer County). During the early morning hours of June 24, a tornado was reported in Coleridge (Cedar County), Nebraska, resulting in one death. Initial damage assessments indicated that 12 homes and one business were damaged. Officials from the Nebraksa Emergency Management Agency toured the damaged area.

On the night of June 24, at least two tornadoes hit Deshler (Thayer County), causing one death. The first, an F0, touched down at 6:35 pm several miles west of Deshler and tracked east and dissipated just northwest of town at 6:50. A second F2 tornado developed at 6:52 pm near the southeast side of town and then tracked west through the south side of Deshler, then turned southwest before dissipating at 7:05. In their June 25 edition, the Deshler Rustler newspaper reported that over 100 homes and 25 businesses were damaged and at least four homes and seven businesses completely destroyed. The overview from the National Weather Service said that 20 homes were destroyed and 9 businesses were damaged or destroyed. One person was killed by the second tornado and seven were injured. The State Department of Health assessed the damage to the city's water supply. A nursing home in Deshler was without power and the local public utility had to look for resourcesand the ability to provide a generator. The nursing home was not affected by the tornado or flooding. On June 23, the nursing home residents were evacuated because of the loss of power. At one time 2/3 of Deshler was without power, but was fully restored by June 25.

On June 24, flooding was reported in Jefferson County (cities of Fairbury, Endicott, and Steele) along the Little Blue River due to the storms that occurred upstream in Thayer County on June 23. Over 12 inches of rain fell near Hebron. The Hebron Dive Team was called to assist with the evacuation and rescue of 15 people from flooded areas in Hubbell. Official measurements were as high as 10.62 inches of rain at Lovewell Dam.

In Aurora in Hamilton County, giant hail fell across the west and northwest side of town. Hailstones were reported to be the size of volleyballs which was not far from the truth given the enormous impact craters left in the ground - some as large as 12 inches and over 3 inches deep on grass lawns. During this storm, the largest hailstone ever recorded in Nebraska was retrieved by a gentleman who also had a hailstone break through his garage roof. The record stone was 7 inches in diameter and had a circumference of 18 3/4 inches. A smaller hailstone with a circumference of 17 3/8 inches weighed 1.33 pounds.

As of June 24, two deaths and about 10 injuries had been reported as a result of the storm system.