Nebraska
Powerful bow echo slams Omaha with hurricane-force winds
PowerOutage.us reported more than 250,000 electrical outages during the height of bow echo in eastern Nebraska.
OMAHA, Neb. – Severe thunderstorms rocked eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa on Wednesday, causing widespread power outages in the Omaha metro area.
The FOX Forecast Center described the storm system as a bow echo as it moved across the Cornhusker State’s largest city, resulting in extensive wind damage.
Tree damage after storms rolled through Omaha, Nebraska on July 31, 2024
(Douglas County Sheriff (Nebraska) / FOX Weather)
Wind gusts around Omaha’s Eppley Airfield, the region’s busiest airport, reached 90 mph.
Immediately following the storm, the airport was closed for several hours so that crews could conduct what was described as a damage assessment. The airport has since resumed operations.
Severe weather reports from Wednesday 7/31/2024
(FOX Weather)
Elsewhere in Nebraska, damage to awnings and trees was widespread, with PowerOutage.US reporting more than a quarter of a million outages during the peak of the storm.
The Omaha Public Power District, the region’s largest utility provider, said the severe weather event was the largest restoration effort in recent memory and encouraged customers to be patient while its crews began the cleanup process.
Power poles snapped during storm in Nebraska on July 31, 2024.
(Omaha Public Power District / FOX Weather)
“The windstorm that struck the OPPD service territory caused power outages to 220,545 customers,” OPPD stated Wednesday night. “There have been reports of wind gusts up to 100 mph in some areas. There is heavy tree damage and reports of downed wires across the area. Our crews are assessing the damage and are in the early stages of what is one of our largest restoration efforts as of late.”
(FOX Weather)
WHAT IS A DERECHO?
City officials in Lincoln, a town also hit hard by severe winds, reported power outages to the town’s wells temporarily disrupted water supplies and were urging residents to conserve water.
The National Weather Service office for the region indicated that most of the damage reports were from straight-line winds, but meteorologists would need to determine in the coming days if there were any embedded tornadoes in the storms.
“Clearly, the damage is extensive and intense over a huge area, almost exclusively due to straight-line winds. We have some reports of “gustnado” type of circulations, and some that will need to be evaluated for whether there are tornado damage tracks embedded within the straight-line wind region,” Brian Barjenbruch, a meteorologist at the NWS office, stated.
Despite the flurry of severe weather, local authorities did not report any deaths associated with the event.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium also reported extensive tree damage, but staff said all employees and animals were accounted for.
SEE IT: FUNNEL CLOUD PHOTOBOMBS NEBRASKA
Wednesday’s severe storms generated dozens of damage reports across the Plains and the Midwest.
Mammatus clouds grace the skies at sunset after severe weather passed through Hays, Kan. on July 31, 2024.
(Trooper Tod Kansas HP (@TrooperTodKHP / X))
The majority of the issues involved downed trees and power lines, as well as damage to roofs and windows, according to initial reports received by the Storm Prediction Center.
The region is expected to clear out from additional severe weather chances as a frontal boundary that has been slow to move finally begins its eastward advancement.
Nebraska Game and Parks is offering residents a chance to win prizes simply for getting outside and moving, as part of a challenge honoring America’s 250th birthday.
The Outdoor Nebraska 250-Mile Challenge invites participants to log miles through activities like walking, running, kayaking, horseback riding and more using any fitness app. The goal is to reach 250 miles before the end of the year. Once completed, participants fill out a form on the Nebraska Game and Parks website to become eligible for prizes.
Mike Selman, a regular walker at Zorinsky Lake, said the challenge caught his attention.
“I think it’s great, as long as you put in the time and effort,” Selman said.
Selman said getting outdoors is already a big part of his routine.
“I absolutely love it, I love being outdoors, just the beauty, the nature, the trees, the water,” Selman said.
He said one of his favorite aspects of the challenge is the opportunity to explore Nebraska’s many outdoor spaces.
“Especially here, around Zorinsky, Standing Bear, Flanagan, you got great opportunities and great places to go,” Selman said.
When asked if he planned to submit his miles, Selman did not hesitate.
“I’ll definitely think about it, most definitely,” Selman said.
Between Memorial Day and the end of the year, logging just over 1 mile a day would be enough to reach the 250-mile goal and qualify for prizes.
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We’ll have to wait a bit longer to get into the Cowgirls’ Super Regional.
A rainy night in Lincoln meant the teams only managed to get four outs into the Super between Oklahoma State and Nebraska. The game is tied at 0. The weather delay lasted about two hours before they called it.
The game will resume at 4 p.m. Friday and be televised on ESPN2. They will not play another game Friday, as Game 2 will now take place at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Nebraska football team added its third 2027 offensive line commitment and addition from the state of Georgia on Wednesday.
Loganville (Ga.) Grayson offensive lineman KD Jones officially announced his commitment to NU this week. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Jones picked the Huskers over Georgia Tech, Auburn, Kentucky and Virginia Tech. He visited Lincoln on May 6 and is scheduled to take his official visit to Nebraska on June 6.
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The Huskers first offered Jones in April, after offensive line coach Geep Wade had previously been recruiting him at Georgia Tech.
“Coach Wade called me and offered me today,” Jones told HuskerOnline on Apr. 25. “He has been on me for a long time, ever since he was at Tech. So his interest wasn’t anything new to me. He came to watch me train at school and was amazed. He offered the next day.”
Jones joins safety Corey Hadley from the state of Georgia in NU’s 2027 recruiting class.
“I knew nothing about Nebraska before the offer,” Jones said in April. But now that Coach Wade and Coach (Lonnie) Teasley are there, I know I can trust them.”
Jones had planned to take official visits to all the schools recruiting him, but his early commitment to NU appears to have shut down those visits.
He jones Omaha (Neb.) Millard North’s Matt Erickson and fellow Grayson product Jordan Agbanoma are the other offensive linemen in the Huskers’ 2027 recruiting class. He’s now the 10th commitment in Nebraska’s class of 2027.
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