Significant damaging wind event strikes south central Nebraska during the late evening hours of July 9, 2021. This event began well west and northwest of the Hastings County Warning Area (CWA), within the Nebraska Panhandle, during the late afternoon and early evening hours as a small cluster of thunderstorms. These thunderstorms became severe at various points during their eastward track across the Nebraska Sandhills through the evening, but it wasn���t until they reached the North Platte and Broken Bow areas around 9PM CDT that they became significantly organized and severe. This activity quickly moved into W and NW portions of the CWA between 9-10PM CDT, with the strongest thunderstorms and associated wind gusts focused across Dawson County. Wind gusts of 65 MPH to nearly 80 MPH were common across the county, which resulted in widespread tree damage and numerous power outages. Activity quickly grew upscale in terms of coverage and intensity as it shifted SE, and by 10 PM CDT, there was a solid line of thunderstorms from Nance County to Buffalo County to northern Gosper County that would prove to become a prolific damaging wind producer over the next couple of hours, including for the three largest cities in the Hastings CWA - Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings. Wind gusts of 60-80 MPH were either reported or estimated in all of these areas. Not surprisingly, impacts were fairly significant, especially in terms of the overall scope of tree damage and power outages, including snapped power poles and healthy trees that were snapped off near the ground. Some of the trees fell onto homes and vehicles. In Kearney, a roof was partially torn off a movie theater, which also led to extensive water damage due to the torrential rain. Conditions became treacherous along Interstate 80 as the strong wind gusts on the leading edge of the thunderstorms led to overturned semi-trucks, other trailers, and campers, as well as very limited visibility due to blowing dust. As the line of thunderstorms moved east of Highway 281, some localized corridors of particularly intense winds, observed or estimated to be as high as 80-95 MPH, developed across portions of eastern Hall County, southern Hamilton County, and northern Clay County between 10:30-11:30 PM CDT. The most intense wind occurred in a swath from around Central Nebraska Regional Airport, where an 84 MPH gust was measured, southeast towards areas near and south of Aurora, to near Giltner. Damage in these areas included: significant tree and power line damage, snapped power poles, flattened crops, overturned pivots, damaged or destroyed grain bins and outbuildings, and two blown over semi-trucks on Interstate 80. Some tree limbs fell on cars and buildings, and some minor roof and window damage occurred to a few businesses. Perhaps the most impressive damage was downed high-voltage transmission lines approximately 4 miles south of Aurora where they cross Interstate 80. This led to traffic issues in the area for a time. Similar tree, power line, crop, irrigation pivot, and grain bin/outbuilding damage was reported in portions of Clay County. The line of thunderstorms weakened slightly as they shifted E and SE towards the Highway 81 corridor between 11PM and midnight, though gusts of 65-75 MPH were still reported in York, Fillmore, and Thayer Counties. Most notable damage (other than tree and power line damage) were half dozen overturned pivots, flattened corn, and a tree falling on a car. Severe thunderstorms finally exited south central Nebraska by 1AM on July 10. When all was said and done, a nearly continuous swath of relatively concentrated wind damage 30 to 50 miles wide occurred from near North Platte, NE to areas just E/NE of Hebron, NE. Gov. Ricketts declared disaster declaration for 14 total counties in Nebraska, including Clay, Fillmore, Hall, Hamilton and York counties in our CWA, and it was ultimately approved by President Biden. Preliminary assessment by FEMA estimated over 30 million dollars in damages.
Meteorologically speaking, this complex of thunderstorms was not unexpected, though intensity forecasts were ramped up just hours before the onset. SPC outlooks increased from a ���Slight��� risk in the morning, to an ���Enhanced��� risk for the western half of the CWA in the 3PM CDT update. The ���Enhanced��� risk was expanded to include all of south central Nebraska with the evening update. Strong wind shear (effective shear 50-60kt) was a consistent feature of the forecast, with the primary uncertainty being low level moisture quality and how much instability there would be for storms to work with as they moved off of the High Plains. Ultimately, low level moisture, in particular surface dew points, were much higher than modeled. For example, surface dew points were well into the mid 70s across a large portion of central and south central Nebraska, vs. modeled dew points in the 60s. This discrepancy was likely due to strong evapotranspiration from irrigation and mature crops, as well as weak low level mixing. As such, instability was very strong with MUCAPE of 5000-7000 J/kg, and this continued well into the overnight hours. Downdraft CAPE was also high at around 1000-1300 J/kg. Not surprisingly, the Derecho Composite parameter peaked between 4-6, which was significant.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 20:26:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: GOTHENBURG
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

Numerous measured gusts of 64 MPH to 78 MPH were reported along and near this path. The peak gust was 78 MPH, recorded at 10:11 PM CDT by a mesonet station located two miles east-southeast of Overton. Gusts of 75, 65, and 64 MPH were recorded between 9:34-9:44 PM by a mesonet station located one mile north-northeast of Cozad. Other gusts included 71 MPH (at 9:26 PM CDT by a mesonet station located three miles north-northwest of Gothenburg), 67 MPH (at 9:55 PM CDT by the Lexington Airport AWOS), and 66 MPH (at 9:50 PM CDT by a mesonet station located four miles west-northwest of Lexington). The Dawson Public Power District reported downed power lines and power outages in and around cities along this path. Tree damage was also reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAWSON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 20:48:00 to 09-JUL-21 20:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDDYVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 70 MPH was recorded by a mesonet located three miles west of Sumner. Emergency management reported extensive tree damage in Eddyville.

Thunderstorm Wind in FURNAS, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:18:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: EDISON
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A wind gust of 62 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located in Edison.

Thunderstorm Wind in PHELPS, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:17:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOLDREGE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH resulted in tree damage and power outages in Holdrege. The outages were reported by emergency management to be due to damaged power poles and lines. Other area measured wind gusts included 59 MPH, recorded by a mesonet station located four miles north-northeast of Holdrege, and 58 MPH, recorded by a mesonet station 2 miles north of Atlanta.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:05:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

NWS Cooperative Observer reported that a tree fell onto a car in Miller. Time was estimated based on radar, speed was estimated from upstream measurement of 70 MPH near Sumner.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:12:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAIRO
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 64 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located eight miles northwest of Wood River.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:10:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELM CREEK
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be as high as 80 MPH, tree damage, and power outages occurred along and near this path. The peak measured gust was 68 MPH, recorded at 10:38 PM CDT by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Kearney. Other measured gusts included 66 MPH at 10:24 PM CDT by a mesonet located 2 miles north-northeast of Kearney, 65 MPH at 10:22 PM CDT by a mesonet located 1 mile north of Kearney, and 63 MPH at 10:25 PM CDT by the Kearney Regional Airport AWOS. Law enforcement and emergency management reported at least one semi-truck, other trailers and campers were blown over on Interstate 80 in the Elm Creek area, with zero visibility due to wind and blowing dust. In Elm Creek itself, multiple tree limbs were downed and roof damage was reported. An 18-foot trailer was rolled into the alley behind a home and their neighbor's garage roof was partially torn off and blown into their yard. In and around Kearney, numerous tree limbs were downed, with several trees snapped off at the base. One tree fell onto a home and vehicle, causing some siding and fencing damage. Emergency management reported power outages across town with several transformers blown and some fires due to downed power lines, as well as a few streets, including Highway 30, blocked due to downed tree limbs. The most notable damage report was from the south side of Kearney, where the movie theater suffered major roof damage. Once part of the roof was ripped off, heavy rain fell inside, causing further damage. The theater is not expected to reopen until Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Thunderstorm Wind in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:14:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:16:00 (CST-6)
Location: RIVERDALE
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 66 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located one mile north of Riverdale and a gust of 59 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located two miles south of Riverdale.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREELEY, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:50:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: GREELEY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH resulted in tree limbs up to 3-4 inches in diameter being downed in town.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:38:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: MACON
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 61 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located seven miles west of Macon.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:54:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROSELAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 58 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located 1 mile southwest of Roseland.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:57:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: PAULINE
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 65 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:47:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:56:00 (CST-6)
Location: (HSI)HASTINGS ARPT
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A wind gust of 63 MPH was recorded at 10:56 PM CDT by the Hastings Airport and a wind gust of 61 MPH was recorded at 10:47 PM CDT by the mesonet station located at the NWS Hastings office four miles north of Hastings. Emergency management reported tree damage in Hastings, including some limbs over roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:37:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRUNING
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH, with tree limbs down across town.

Thunderstorm Wind in NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:17:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:20:00 (CST-6)
Location: ANGUS
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 63 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located five miles west of Davenport.

Thunderstorm Wind in POLK, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:25:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHELBY
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:04:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARVARD
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 59 MPH was recorded by a Nebraska Mesonet station located four miles southwest of Harvard.

Thunderstorm Wind in MERRICK, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:40:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHAPMAN
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 66 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located two miles southwest of Chapman.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:10:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: HENDERSON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Wind gusts estimated to be at least 65 MPH resulted in tree damage in Henderson, including some larger trees. Tree limbs were downed onto roads, making travel difficult in town. A nearby mesonet located two miles east-northeast of Henderson measured a peak gust of 60 MPH at 11:10 PM CDT.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:30:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MC COOL JCT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH in McCool Junction.

Thunderstorm Wind in YORK, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:20:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRADSHAW
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 71 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located three miles west of York at 11:20 PM CDT. A wind gust of 64 MPH was recorded by the York Airport AWOS at 11:31 PM CDT.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:05:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:11:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRFIELD
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 76 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located two miles west-northwest of Fairfield at 11:09 PM CDT. A wind gust of 61 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located four miles northeast of Fairfield at 11:11 PM CDT. The Cooperative Observer located six miles east-southeast of Clay Center estimated wind speeds of at least 70 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:28:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:34:00 (CST-6)
Location: SHICKLEY
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 60 MPH was recorded by mesonet station located three miles south-southwest of Shickley between 11:28-11:30 PM CDT. A wind gust of 58 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located three miles southeast of Shickley at 11:34 PM CDT.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:45:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENEVA
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 69 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located four miles east-southeast of Geneva.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:35:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: DONIPHAN
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Wind gusts recorded by a mesonet station located on the east-southeast side of Doniphan included 71 MPH at 10:43 PM CDT and 61 MPH at 10:35 PM CDT.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:25:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Magnitude: 73.00 MG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The peak measured wind gust was 84 MPH, recorded at 10:30 PM CDT by the Central Nebraska Regional Airport at Grand Island ASOS. Other measured wind gusts included 66 MPH at 10:34 PM CDT by a mesonet station located one mile northwest of Wood River and 63 MPH at 10:41 PM CDT by a mesonet station located four miles west-southwest of Wood River. County dispatch and broadcast media reported widespread tree damage across the county, including large healthy trees downed, with multiple power poles snapped and power lines downed. Underpasses in Grand Island were briefly impassible due to heavy rainfall.

Thunderstorm Wind in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:36:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOOD RIVER
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Wind gusts of at least 65 MPH resulted in a semi truck being blown over on the westbound lane of Interstate 80 approximately three miles west of the Alda exit. The driver was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:03:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:03:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMPTON
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 65 MPH near Hampton.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:54:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

A wind gust of 78 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located just west of Aurora at 10:54 PM CDT and a gust of 64 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located in Aurora at 10:57 PM CDT. Along with numerous reports of tree damage and power outages, there was minor roof and window damage to a few business in Aurora, as well as reports of tree limbs falling onto cars.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:50:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:55:00 (CST-6)
Location: GILTNER
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

Wind gusts through this area were estimated to be near 90 MPH. The peak measured wind gust was 80 MPH, recorded at 11:00 PM CDT by a mesonet station located four miles northwest of Stockham. Article from the Aurora News-Register reported that a farmer from the Giltner area had crop damage, at least nine irrigation pivots damaged, and nine grain bins either damaged or destroyed. An irrigation pivot just west of Giltner was also flipped. An NWS Hastings employee noted pivot and grain bin damage straight south of Giltner. Time and speed estimated from surrounding reports and observations.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:40:00 to 09-JUL-21 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: PHILLIPS
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts were estimated to be at around 70 MPH based on surrounding observations. Power outages were reported in Phillips.

Thunderstorm Wind in THAYER, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:20:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: DAVENPORT
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Mesonet

The peak measured wind gusts was 71 MPH, recorded at 11:37 PM CDT by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Carleton. Other gusts included: 67 MPH, recorded at 11:45 PM CDT by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Belvidere; 59 MPH, recorded at 11:41 PM CDT by a mesonet station located four miles northeast of Belvidere; 59 MPH, recorded at 11:21 PM CDT by a mesonet station located 2 miles south-southeast of Davenport. Emergency management reported power outages, tree and crop damage along and near this path, including a tree that fell onto a car in Alexandria. Corn was flattened in many spots, with at least a half-dozen pivots overturned. A power pole was snapped near the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 5.

Thunderstorm Wind in FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 22:30:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: STRANG
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH resulted in roof damage at the school building in Strang. Public reported damage to outbuildings and large trees downed in the area. A wind gust of 59 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located one mile north-northwest of Strang. A wind gust of 62 MPH was recorded by a mesonet station located three miles east of Strang.

Thunderstorm Wind in HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:50:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: AURORA
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts were estimated to be near 95 MPH through this area. Widespread significant tree damage, crop damage, downed power lines, snapped power poles, and power outages were reported along and near this path. A high-voltage transmission line was downed approximately four miles southwest of Aurora, crossing Interstate 80 and causing traffic issues. Several outbuildings and grain bins were damaged or destroyed, mainly south of Aurora. A 66 ft by 120 ft outbuilding just southwest of Aurora was damaged, with sheets of metal blown upwards of 200 yards away. Semi-trucks were blown over on Interstate 80 near both the Aurora and Giltner exits.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-21 21:47:00 to 09-JUL-21 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: TRUMBULL
Magnitude: 83.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Wind gusts estimated to be near 95 MPH occurred along this path. The main reports of damage came from the Harvard and Sutton areas. Widespread tree damage was reported, along with large areas of flattened crops. Minor roof damage occurred in Sutton. Numerous power outages were reported. Emergency management reported multiple irrigation pivots overturned in the area, along with 3 large grain bins destroyed and an outbuilding damaged along N Road near Harvard.