BROKEN BOW, Neb. — A severe thunderstorm swept through the area overnight, causing scattered power outages, downed electrical lines and heavy localized rainfall.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday as a fast-moving line of storms advanced east-northeast across southwestern Nebraska.
Data from the automated weather station at Broken Bow Municipal Airport indicated the storm’s primary impact occurred near midnight. The station recorded 1.55 inches of rain between 11:53 p.m. Wednesday and 12:53 a.m. Thursday. Another 0.32 inches fell during the following hour, bringing the storm total to 1.89 inches.
Other rainfall amounts from around the area include 2.90 inches 6 miles south of Broken Bow, 1.5 inches in Dunning, 1 inch 3 miles north of Taylor, 2.5 inches in Mason City, 2 inches in Sargent, 1.25 inches 10 miles southeast of Callaway, 3.5 inches 25 miles north of Whitman, 2 inches in Scotia, 2.25 inches in Berwyn, and 1.4 inches in Ansley.
The system produced sustained northwest winds of about 45 mph, with significantly stronger straight-line gusts reported as the storm moved through the region. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning carrying a “destructive” damage-threat tag for portions of eastern Custer and Valley counties.
The passing cold front also caused temperatures in Broken Bow to fall about 20 degrees, dropping from 81 degrees Wednesday evening to 61 degrees early Thursday.
The storm knocked out power across portions of the Broken Bow municipal system and areas served by Custer Public Power District and Loup Valley Rural Public Power District.
The city of Broken Bow reported at 6:30 a.m. that power should have been restored throughout the city. Crews continued working on downed distribution lines and other storm damage.
City officials said electrical lines connecting individual homes may be disconnected when damage is found on the customer’s property. An electrician must repair damaged meter loops or electrical masts before the city can re-energize the service.
Broken Bow residents still without power may contact the city utility office at 308-872-6884 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-hours number is 308-872-6424.
Custer Public Power District also deployed crews Thursday morning to assess damaged infrastructure, remove debris and restore service. The district urged residents to report downed wires or broken electrical equipment and to assume all downed lines are energized.
Officials warned that wet ground can conduct electricity farther from a damaged line, and residents should remain well away from downed equipment.
Custer Public Power customers without electricity may report an outage by calling 888-749-2453 or 308-872-2451. Customers should have their account information available.
The outage also forced Arcadia Public Schools to cancel classes Thursday. School officials said that after consulting with Loup Valley Rural Public Power District, they were advised the outage was expected to continue through most of the day.
Because of significant tree damage around Broken Bow, the city announced that residents may dispose of storm-related tree debris at the Broken Bow Tree Dump at no charge through the weekend.
The city expanded the Tree Dump’s hours for Thursday and Friday. The facility opened at 8 a.m. and was scheduled to close at its regular time of 5:30 p.m. both days.
A flood advisory remained in effect for the Broken Bow area until 5:45 a.m. Thursday, due to pooling water in low-lying areas and along roadways.
