Severe thunderstorms with large hail hit central Nebraska, causing extensive damage
Image credit: NSP Troop D
Severe thunderstorms swept through central Nebraska on June 29, 2024, producing strong winds, heavy rains, and large hail. The storm caused extensive damage to cars, homes and agricultural fields.
At 01:27 LT on June 29, a thunderstorm with a wind gust of 113 km/h (70 mph) and hail ranging from 4.4 cm (1.75 inches) to 6.4 cm (2.50 inches) swept through Gothenburg and Cozad in Dawson County.
Cozad was particularly hard-hit with multiple hail reports between 01:52 and 01:55, including hail sizes up to 10.2 cm (4 inches), resulting in significant damage to homes, vehicles, and a local hospital, and causing one injury.
Cozad Community Hospital temporarily diverted patients from the emergency room to other facilities including Gothenburg Health as they conducted damage assessment.
A serious storm ran through Cozad last evening. Hail damage was significant. Stay alert to our ever changing weather. @NWSNorthPlatte pic.twitter.com/glcTYeCGx9
— NSP Troop D (@NSP_TroopD) June 29, 2024
As of the morning of June 29, Administrator Robert Dyer said they were now accepting patients again and visitors are asked to use the east entrance. Dyer says the current patients there were not affected nor moved from their rooms.
“It blew out to windows sending rain, glass, and hail as far as fifteen feet into my home. Because it’s dark, it’s difficult to see but the entire window is gone,” she said.
Some residents reported golf ball-sized hails that caused extensive damage:
Golf ball sized hail shredding leaves at Cozad, NE rest stop at 2:00 am. Hopefully not too many hail dings on my vehicle. #newx pic.twitter.com/MB4Nxuw7PL
— Tim Lundahl (@timmyminnesota) June 29, 2024
Dangerous severe thunderstorms developed in central Nebraska late Friday evening and early Saturday morning. Softball sized hail was reported in Cozad damaging both vehicles and buildings. Severe weather chances return Monday across much of central and eastern Nebraska. pic.twitter.com/Rw9XYnDgoU
— Carmelo Lattuca (@ClattucaWX) June 30, 2024
Here are a few somewhat melted golf ball sized hail stones at Cozad, NE rest stop. As post this, more hail is now falling. Grrr!#newx pic.twitter.com/1N9Iw30MPa
— Tim Lundahl (@timmyminnesota) June 29, 2024
Live in portions of western Dawson County? We'd appreciate hearing from you about Friday night's storm! We'd like to hear the size of hail and any damage from the intense supercell that passed through. Feel free to share any photos/videos as well. Thank you! #newx pic.twitter.com/quD0UEiATR
— NWS Hastings (@NWSHastings) June 29, 2024
The National Weather Service asked for reports from portions of western Dawson County – especially from north of Gothenburg through southwest of Lexington and portions of Sherman, Buffalo, or Hall County – especially from near Litchfield through just west of Alda.
References:
1 Strom report – NWS – June 29, 2024
2 Severe storms pummel central Nebraska with large hail – KRVN – June 29, 2024
3 Extensive hail storm damage in Cozad Saturday morning – KNEB – June
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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