Damaging Winds in Nebraska, May 29, 2000

A line of severe thunderstorms belted the region on Memorial Day evening with wind gusts over 100 mph. The storms moved into the Gothenburg area around 830 p.m. Wind gusts of 97 mph and 106 mph were measured in and north of Gothenburg. Tree damage was widespread throughout western Dawson county. Many farmsteads sustained structural damage to outbuildings, such as barns, quonsets and grain bins. Numerous irrigation pivots were lost in the northern half of the county. The line of thunderstorms weakened slightly east of Lexington, but intensified again east of Loup City. Wind gusts over 80 mph were reported as the thunderstorms tore through eastern Sherman, Howard, Merrick and Nance counties. Again, trees were heavily damaged along with outbuildings and irrigation pivots. A roof was torn from a home in St. Paul. In Nance county, a communications tower was toppled as were several large cottonwood trees. Power lines were blown over causing power loss to several communities. With very dry conditions across the area, visibilities were near zero in blowing dust as the thunderstorms approached.