Tornadoes, hail, flooding and overturned semi reported across Sandhills, Central Nebraska

BROWNLEE, Neb. - Authorities across the Sandhills and Central Nebraska are assessing damage after a powerful storm system swept through the region Wednesday night.

Preliminary reports from the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed multiple landspout tornadoes touched down about five miles south of Hershey. The Nebraska State Patrol shared images of the tornadoes on social media.

The storm also delivered widespread hail, including golf ball-sized hail (1.75 inches) near Nenzel and west-southwest of Brownlee, and one-inch hail in Mullen. Reports near North Platte and Burwell indicated even larger hail — up to 2.5 inches. Near Burwell, multiple roads were washed out, and the Calamus dam operator reported over four inches of rain.

In Cherry County, high winds overturned a semi-truck on Highway 83 about six miles north of Brownlee. Flooding and wind damage were reported throughout the Sandhills.

 

“Our road crews are going around main artery roads to look at damage, and then they will hit other roads,” said Cherry County Commissioner Martin DeNaeyer. He added that most of the road damage appears to be east and west of Highway 97, between Mullen and Valentine.

“While damage is unfortunate, all in all, we’re really thankful for the rain,” DeNaeyer said.

The storm also sparked several grass fires near Seneca, Thedford, and Valentine. Officials say the fires were quickly contained thanks to both emergency responders and timely rainfall.