A volatile environment featured a warm front from parts of east central South Dakota into western Minnesota, with a dryline extending to the southwest into Nebraska. With a very strong wave moving northeast through Nebraska into a highly unstable and highly sheared environment, scattered storms initiated and quickly grew upscale to a broad linear structure with damaging winds. With crop development well behind schedule and many fields yet to be planted, there was ample dirt available to be lofted into the leading edge of the storms, which took on the characteristics of a haboob reducing visibility to near zero at the onset of high winds.
A broad swath of winds from 70 to 100 mph devastated much of southeast South Dakota, and portions of southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa, causing extensive tree and structural damage and scores of injuries. The highest observed wind gust was 107 mph near Tripp, SD. In addition, vehicles and high profile vehicles were blown off several roads, shutting down traffic on Interstates 29 and 90. Two (direct) fatalities occurred in vehicles impacted by debris as the storms moved into the Sioux Falls area. Power was disrupted in a widespread area, with estimates of over 45,000 customers impacted at one time. Many schools were closed due to damage and power issues. The South Dakota Governor requested and was granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration for damage to public infrastructure at an estimated cost of 6.7 million dollars across 20 counties and two reservations. Private losses were a much higher toll, and just one of the impacted counties (McCook) estimated at least 150 to 175 million dollars in damage. Presidential Disaster Declarations were also granted in Dixon County, Nebraska and Lincoln County, Minnesota.
Following the afternoon line of storms, a secondary band of storms developed near the core of the upper level jet across eastern Nebraska in the early evening hours. These storms also quickly become severe, with a mix of large hail, damaging wind, and even an isolated tornado near Sioux City. This cluster of storms moved through far southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota during the evening.

Thunderstorm Wind in DIXON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 17:45:00 to 12-MAY-22 17:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: WAKEFIELD
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Crop damage: 8.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Thunderstorm winds downed several large trees. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Thunderstorm Wind in DIXON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:25:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEWCASTLE
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple powerlines were downed throughout Newcastle. Multiple buildings are also destroyed along state Highway 12 near mile markers 219 and 220.

Thunderstorm Wind in DIXON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 15:32:00 to 12-MAY-22 15:36:00 (CST-6)
Location: PONCA
Magnitude: 78.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple trees and powerlines were downed throughout Ponca.

Thunderstorm Wind in DAKOTA, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 17:58:00 to 12-MAY-22 17:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOMER
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A brief gustnado developed along the storm outflow, but no damage was noted.

Thunderstorm Wind in DIXON, NEBRASKA
From 12-MAY-22 17:55:00 to 12-MAY-22 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALLEN
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Multiple tree limbs were downed, with several on powerlines.