A significant severe weather outbreak occurred during the late afternoon and evening of May 29th.  Several tornadoes were reported from near Elwood to north of York.  Two tornadoes caused damage in the city of Kearney and one occurred just to the south of town. Another tornado damaged homes and power poles near Aurora. Another tornado started in north-central Kansas and entered south-central Nebraska near Hubbell. Very strong winds moved down a portion of Interstate 80 and pushed cars and trucks off of the roadway near Aurora.  Other areas of south-central Nebraska received heavy rains and hail. Hail to the size of baseballs was reported near Arapahoe in Furnas County.  These storms also produce a lot of rainfall over areas that had fairly wet ground. Several areas of flooding were noted in the Platte and Republican River valleys.

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:19:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:00:00 to 29-MAY-08 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMERON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:02:00 to 29-MAY-08 17:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:05:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: ODESSA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:34:00 to 29-MAY-08 18:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: YORK ARPT
Magnitude: 67.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 21:06:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:06:00 (CST-6)
Location: EXETER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winds accompanied by very heavy rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 21:10:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRMONT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:12:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:17:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELM CREEK
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:32:00 to 29-MAY-08 18:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: YORK
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

The hail was accompanied by 60 mph winds.

Hail in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 20:30:00 to 29-MAY-08 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHICKLEY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Hail was accompanied by estimated 50 MPH winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:27:00 to 29-MAY-08 17:27:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Tornado in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:18:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALFALFA CENTER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started in northeast Phelps County and crossed into Buffalo County. The twister skipped across southern parts of Buffalo County south of the city of Kearney.  A billboard sign near the interstate was damaged and irrigation pipe was tossed about.  Some trees and power poles were also damaged.

Tornado in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:52:00 to 29-MAY-08 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MURPHY
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

This tornado was captured on a Hamilton County deputies car video system as it occurred northwest of Aurora.  This weak tornado did damage a few power lines and trees along its path.

Hail in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:19:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:28:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEXINGTON ARPT
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:48:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELM CREEK
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:59:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARAPAHOE
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flash Flood in WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 20:00:00 to 30-MAY-08 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: INAVALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms moved northeast out of northern Kansas and into southern Nebraska and dumped several inches of rain in southern Webster County during the evening and nighttime hours. This caused several roads and small creeks to become flooded.

Flash Flood in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 21:00:00 to 30-MAY-08 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST STEPHENS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms moved northeast out of northern Kansas and into southern Nebraska and dumped several inches of rain in southern Nuckolls County during the nighttime hours. This caused several roads and small creeks to become flooded.

Flash Flood in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 22:00:00 to 30-MAY-08 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 400.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms moved northeast out of northern Kansas and into southern Nebraska and dumped several inches of rain in southern Thayer County during the nighttime hours. This caused several roads and small creeks to become flooded.

Flash Flood in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:30:00 to 29-MAY-08 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across most of Hamilton County during the evening and nighttime hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 30-MAY-08 00:00:00 to 30-MAY-08 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: POLK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across Polk County during the nighttime hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:30:00 to 29-MAY-08 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PALMER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across Merrick County during the evening and nighttime hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 19:30:00 to 29-MAY-08 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: NAPONEE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms moved northeast out of northern Kansas and into southern Nebraska and dumped several inches of rain in southeast Franklin County during the evening and nighttime hours. This caused several roads and small creeks to become flooded.

Flash Flood in NANCE, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 20:00:00 to 30-MAY-08 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FULLERTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across southeast Nance County during the evening and nighttime hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 19:15:00 to 29-MAY-08 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARBORVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across northern York County during the evening and nighttime hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Tornado in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 21:12:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUBBELL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado originally started in Jewell County Kansas. It entered Thayer County from Republic County Kansas. It also exited Thayer County and entered Jefferson County.  Tornado damage in the county started near Hubbell where a few homes had some roof damage.  In rural Thayer County damage was basically limited to trees and power poles. One outbuilding lost part of its roof and a couple of grain bins were damaged.

Flash Flood in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:15:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of northern Kearney County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused many roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:45:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAMERON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 750.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of Hall County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused many roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:30:00 to 29-MAY-08 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOHNSON RES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of northern Gosper County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused many roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:30:00 to 29-MAY-08 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DARR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of southern Dawson County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused many roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in HOWARD, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:00:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: DANNEBROG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of southeast Howard County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused roads and some small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:45:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTMARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of northern Phelps County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused many roads and small creeks to quickly flood.

Flash Flood in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:00:00 to 29-MAY-08 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorms rolled across the same area of southern Buffalo County during the evening hours and dumped several inches of rain. This caused many roads and small creeks to quickly flood. Several streets in the city of Kearney were also flooded.

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:25:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOHNSON RES
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 14:55:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOHNSON RES
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:20:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALFALPHA SIDING
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started west of Kearney and moved east.  Eye witness reports indicate this was a multi-vortex tornado that skipped along US Highway 30 through Kearney and ended near Shelton. Near the start of this twister, scores of empty coal train cars were blown over. The tornado did affect a large part of the central area of Kearney.  A report from the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department���s wind system showed 100 mph winds as it passed through the downtown area.  There were hundreds of trees and literally thousands of tree limbs that crashed into homes, businesses, and vehicles.  There was some minor siding and roof damage to structures caused by the winds.  These winds also knocked down power lines and signs and displaced several empty grain bins. Tree damage was noted in the villages of Gibbon and Shelton.

Tornado in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:02:00 to 29-MAY-08 18:13:00 (CST-6)
Location: AARON ARPT
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started southwest of Aurora and moved southeast. The parent supercell had produced a rear flank downdraft (RFD) that was traveling down Interstate 80. As the tornado interacted with this RFD about a mile north of the Interstate, it rapidly increased in size and strength and started to move eastward.  At this point the tornado damaged several homes and brought down a self standing cell tower. One home along Highway 14 sustained considerable damage.  The tornado then moved to the northeast and dissipated just southwest of the village of Hampton.  To the west of Hampton, several empty rail cars were blown off the tracks by what appeared to be inflow winds into the tornado. A major high voltage power line was brought down by the tornado as well as many power lines and poles in the rural areas.  Also many center pivot irrigation systems were blown over along the tornadoes path.

Tornado in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:10:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELWOOD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A brief tornado touched down west of Elwood and moved east. No damage was noted as it stayed in open country.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:50:00 to 29-MAY-08 18:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

A supercell that spawned a couple of tornadoes produced a rear flank downdraft (RFD) that traveled along Interstate 80.  The event was recorded by a storm chaser that was located south of Aurora at the I-80 and Highway 14 junction.  The strong wind blew over several semi-trailers, pushed a couple of campers and a few cars off of I-80. Five people sustained minor injuries. A farmstead near the Interstate sustained considerable damage to the home and outbuildings.  Numerous power poles and center pivot irrigation system down damaged. The canopies at the 3 gas stations at the I-80/Highway 14 interchange were damaged.

Tornado in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:26:00 to 29-MAY-08 17:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: KEARNEY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 11.00M
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado was the most organized tornado that hit the city of Kearney this night and was the most persistent. It appeared to stay on the ground for the majority of its 22 mile path in Buffalo County. The tornado did exit Buffalo County and entered Hall County.  The tornado started in the northwest part of the city of Kearney where it damaged an apartment complex. It took the roof off of part of the complex, blew out a wall and stacked a couple of cars in the parking lot. The tornado then moved east, damaging trees in Harmon Park and took a part of the roof off a building near the hospital. At the Buffalo County Fairgrounds, it caused a portion of the Expo Center building to collapse. Two people in this building were shook up but not injured. The tornado then continued east to the Kearney Airport where it destroyed a hanger and the cooperate jet housed inside.  The tornado then continued on east and northeast through rural parts of Buffalo County.  Several farmsteads were hit but damage was limited to shingles removed from roofs, outbuildings damaged and empty grain bins destroyed.  There were multiple power poles and lines down by this storm.

Tornado in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 17:02:00 to 29-MAY-08 17:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado entered Hall County from Buffalo County.  The tornado caused mainly crop, power pole and tree damage as it roped out in western Hall County.

Tornado in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 18:44:00 to 29-MAY-08 18:47:00 (CST-6)
Location: THAYER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A brief tornado occurred east of the village of Thayer. This tornado only damaged some trees and a few center pivot irrigation systems.

Tornado in GOSPER, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:32:00 to 29-MAY-08 15:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: SMITHFIELD
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters reported a tornado that started in northeast Gosper County and moved into northwest Phelps County. This tornado was in open country and caused no damage.

Tornado in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 15:37:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: BERTRAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotters reported a weak tornado that started in northeast Gosper County and moved into northwest Phelps County. This tornado skipped across open country and caused no damage. The tornado lifted near the Platte River south of Odessa in northern Phelps County.

Tornado in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 29-MAY-08 16:16:00 to 29-MAY-08 16:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: FUNK
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado started in northeast Phelps County and crossed into Buffalo County. The tornado did damage a couple of outbuildings and grain silos near the start of the damage path.