Flash Flooding and Hail in Nebraska, May 16 to 17, 2026

Name: Flash Flooding and Hail in Nebraska, May 16 to 17, 2026
Start: 2026-05-16T17:26
End: 2026-05-17T02:00
Location: Nebraska

May 16 to 17, 2026 · NWS OAX · 35 events in 8 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 35

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS OAX wrote it up.

During the afternoon and evening hours of May 16, 2026, severe thunderstorms produced large hail, damaging wind gusts, and flash flooding across eastern Nebraska. The storms initiated along a frontal boundary draped across the region as a shortwave disturbance pivoted overhead. Earlier in the day, this shortwave had helped develop a surface low near the Colorado/western Nebraska border, which subsequently tracked eastward toward the Mid-Missouri Valley. Ahead of the low, an axis of 2,000 to 3,000 J/kg of MLCAPE developed near the boundary. This instability, combined with increasing deep-layer shear, created an environment highly supportive of strong to severe thunderstorms.

Sinitially presenting a significant large hail threat before transitioning into a destructive wind event. Through the early to mid-evening hours, widespread hail ranging from quarter (1.00 inch) to baseball (2.75 inches) size bombarded Platte, Saline, Seward, Gage, Lancaster, and Jefferson counties. The most intense hail occurred in Jefferson and Saline counties, highlighted by 2.75-inch hailstones measured near Plymouth and 2.50-inch hailstones reported near De Witt.

As the storms progressed into the late evening and early morning hours of May 17, the primary hazard shifted to severe and damaging straight-line winds. Jefferson County absorbed the brunt of this impact, with multiple mesonet stations and emergency management officials measuring extreme wind gusts between 75 and 88 mph in and around Fairbury. These intense winds caused significant impacts, including downed trees, widespread power outages, and near-zero visibility. The line of storms maintained severe intensity as it pushed eastward, producing gusts in excess of 60 mph across Gage and Richardson counties before eventually clearing the region.

In addition to the severe weather, repeated rounds of heavy rainfall brought flash flooding to southeast Nebraska, primarily impacting Gage, Johnson, Jefferson, and Saline counties. Widespread precipitation totals of 2 to 4 inches were observed across the region, with localized maximums of 5.80 to 7.00 inches concentrated in Gage County.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Omaha, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 16, 4:37 PM CST, 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Strong to severe storm chances expected for the afternoon (30%) and evening hours, with more storms possible in the late evening and overnight (70-90%).
Continued threat for severe storms Sunday and Monday with all hazards possible.
Temperatures cool down for Tuesday through Thursday in the 50s and 60s, warming back up toward the end of the week.

Area forecast discussion, May 16, 4:37 PM CST, 49 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
537 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe storm chances expected for the afternoon
  (30%) and evening hours, with more storms possible in the late
  evening and overnight (70-90%).

- Continued threat for severe storms Sunday and Monday with all
  hazards possible.

- Temperatures cool down for Tuesday through Thursday in the 50s
  and 60s, warming back up toward the end of the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 138 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

Satellite gives a good idea of where the upper-level warm front
is located this afternoon, with partly cloudy skies along and
north of the boundary from Lincoln to Plattsmouth. Skies to the
south are mostly clear. We have the surface front to the south,
closer to the Kansas-Nebraska state line. We're going to be
watching this surface front push north into southeast Nebraska
over the next few hours, with an isolated storm or two possibly
developing later this afternoon. The upper-level shortwave
pushes into north-central Kansas around 7pm this evening,
kicking off storms in northeastern Kansas. A line of these
storms will move north into southeast Nebraska around 8-9pm
getting into Lincoln/Omaha around 10-11pm. This line of storms
will lift into northeast Nebraska after midnight. The second
round of storms develop near the Nebraska Panhandle this evening
and develop into a bowing line that will push into our area
around 1-2AM. Significant wind threat with this line of storms,
with potential for 70+ mph winds.

Sunday will start off with lingering cooler and cloudy
conditions from the overnight storms. It's going to take some
time for our environment to recover, with clouds maybe not
burning off until early afternoon. The developing surface low
has trended farther north, deepening which will strengthen the
surface pressure gradient across our area. Because of this
we'll see stronger winds develop out of the south, with gusts 35
to 45 mph expected starting mid-morning through the afternoon.
The first storms will develop either over northeast Nebraska or
southeast South Dakota around 6pm. CAPE values of around 3500
J/kg pooling along the warm front as well as 0-6km bulk shear
values of 35-40 kt should support discrete supercells
initially. Later in the evening closer to 9pm the low-level jet
intensifies, bringing stronger winds at 850mb into southeast
Nebraska. This should light up storms all along the cold front
from around Red Cloud northeast through Columbus and Thurston.
500-mb winds show steering flow pushing these storms east off
the frontal boundary. the best low-level shear will be over
northeast Nebraska into southeast South Dakota and northwest
Iowa Sunday evening, lending to the greatest potential for
embedded supercells and strong tornadoes in this area. However,
there will still be enough shear for a few supercells farther
south along the line of storms after 9pm for a tornado or two to
develop as far south as I-80. This line of strong to severe
storms clears east of our area by around 3-4am.

While the storms moved off to the east, the front does not
follow, staying put across our area into Monday acting as a
focus for more strong-to-severe storms on Monday. There are
differences in the CAMs on where exactly the front will be
Monday morning, with the HRRR keeping it just north of the
Omaha-Lincoln metros. Other hi-res models have it farther south,
closer to Nebraska City. It's location will greatly influence
the areas with severe weather potential on Monday. Storms are
expected to develop initially over north-central Kansas
potentially during the early afternoon, moving into southeast
Nebraska mid-afternoon into the early evening. All modes of
severe weather will again be possible, with tornadoes, large
hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding. These storms should
clear out of our area by 10-11pm.

Tuesday and beyond we finally get a break! The front shifts
south pushing the severe threat south and east of our area and
bringing in a cooler Canadian air mass for mid-week next week.
Tuesday will be much cooler with highs in the mid 50s to mid 60s
across our area, with highs moderating back up to solidly in the
mid 60s on Wednesday. Our next chances for rain hold off until
later next week with temperatures warming back up toward next
weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 537 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

Storms have developed in southwest Iowa and central Nebraska.
Watching for this line to potentially fill in impacting KLNK,
but confidence in timing is low (30%). Better chance for storms
to impact KLNK and KOMA later this evening starting with a surge
of development northward into these two terminals around
03-04Z. This line of storms will hang over the the terminals
until a north-south line of storms moves in from the west around
06-07Z. KOFK remains north of the warm front and may not see any
storms until the north-south line arrives closer to 07Z (only a
60% chance storms impact KOFK). Once the storms clear east, MVFR
cigs appear likely to develop over northeast Nebraska impacting
KOFK primarily. A 40% chance low stratus makes it as far south
as KOMA. Clouds will be slow to clear Sunday, clearing around
17-18Z. Additional storms likely starting Sunday afternoon, but
may only see an isolated storm or two until chances increase
around 00Z.

Winds will remain out of the east this evening, shifting to the
southeast Sunday morning, then more southerly toward the
afternoon. Expect strong winds on Sunday (not generated by
storms) with gusts 25-35kt. A few gusts 40kt+ possible.

&&

.OAX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...None.
IA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...McCoy
AVIATION...McCoy

Hazardous weather outlook, May 16, 12:40 PM CST, 4 hours 46 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
140 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

IAZ043-055-056-069-079-080-090-091-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-
042>045-050>053-065>068-078-088>093-171845-
Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Fremont-Page-
Knox-Cedar-Thurston-Antelope-Pierce-Wayne-Boone-Madison-Stanton-
Cuming-Burt-Platte-Colfax-Dodge-Washington-Butler-Saunders-Douglas-
Sarpy-Seward-Lancaster-Cass-Otoe-Saline-Jefferson-Gage-Johnson-
Nemaha-Pawnee-Richardson-
140 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Iowa, west central
Iowa, east central Nebraska, northeast Nebraska and southeast
Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Strong to severe thunderstorms may develop across the area/move into
the area after 4 PM (30% chance), with a better chance for storms
after 9 PM (70-90%). Strong winds (75+ mph) large hail, and tornadoes
will be possible, with tornadoes more of a threat through the
afternoon and evening, and wind a greater threat overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Repeated rounds of showers and storms are forecast Sunday and
Monday -- primarily during the afternoon and evening hours. Large
hail and damaging winds, and tornadoes (some possibly strong) are
all possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time, but reports of
severe weather are appreciated.

In the hours before

Local storm report, May 16, 4:15 PM CST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
515 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0512 PM     Hail             Red Oak                 41.01N 95.22W
05/16/2026  M1.00 Inch       Montgomery         IA   Amateur Radio

&&

Local storm report, May 16, 4:17 PM CST, 1 hour 9 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
517 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0515 PM     Hail             Red Oak                 41.01N 95.23W
05/16/2026  E1.00 Inch       Montgomery         IA   Public

            Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).

&&

Local storm report, May 16, 4:19 PM CST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
519 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0516 PM     Hail             1 WSW Red Oak           41.00N 95.24W
05/16/2026  M1.75 Inch       Montgomery         IA   Emergency Mngr

            Emergency manager reports golf ball size
            hail just outside of Red Oak to the
            southwest.

&&

Local storm report, May 16, 4:32 PM CST, 54 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
532 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0516 PM     Hail             3 S Red Oak             40.97N 95.23W
05/16/2026  M2.75 Inch       Montgomery         IA   Public

            Report from mPING: Baseball (2.75 in.).

&&

Local storm report, May 16, 4:41 PM CST, 45 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
541 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0524 PM     Hail             3 ESE Red Oak           41.00N 95.17W
05/16/2026  M2.00 Inch       Montgomery         IA   Storm Chaser

            Storm chaser shared photos of measured two
            inch hailstones.

&&

Local storm report, May 16, 4:52 PM CST, 34 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Omaha/Valley NE
552 PM CDT Sat May 16 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0445 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     3 N Villisca            40.98N 94.98W
05/16/2026  M64 MPH          Montgomery         IA   Mesonet

            IA DOT station.

&&

The radar

The Omaha radar (KOAX), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:28 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind, 4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Platte

When: May 16, 5:26 PM CST
Where: Platte County, 0.86 mi NE of Platte Center
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.540, -97.490

Public report of hail estimated up to 1.25 inches in diameter, received via social media.

Hail, Platte

When: May 16, 5:34 PM CST
Where: Platte County, 3.87 mi ESE of Tarnov
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 41.600, -97.450

Public report of hail estimated up to 2.00 inches in diameter, received via social media.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 16, 6:19 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 4.22 mi W of Plymouth
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.300, -97.060

Emergency management report of hail measured up to 1.00 inch in diameter, relayed via NWS Chat.

Hail, Saline

When: May 16, 6:50 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 0.53 mi W of Wilber
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 40.480, -96.960

Law enforcement report of hail estimated up to 1.00 inch in diameter.

Hail, Saline

When: May 16, 6:57 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 1.48 mi SSW of De Witt
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.380, -96.930

Trained spotter report of hail measured up to 1.00 inch in diameter.

Hail, Saline

When: May 16, 7:03 PM CST
Where: Saline County, De Witt
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.400, -96.920

Trained spotter report of hail measured up to 2.50 inches in diameter.

Hail, Saline

When: May 16, 7:11 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 0.52 mi E of Crete
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.630, -96.940

Emergency management report of hail measured up to 1.50 inch in diameter.

Hail, Saline

When: May 16, 7:15 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 0.69 mi S of Crete
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.620, -96.950

Public report of hail measured up to 2.00 inches in diameter with lots of hail on the ground.

Hail, Gage

When: May 16, 7:27 PM CST
Where: Gage County, 5.51 mi NNW of Hoag
Measured: 2.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.390, -96.880

Public report of hail estimated up to 2.25 inches in diameter, received via mPING.

Hail, Seward

When: May 16, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Seward County, 2.81 mi S of Pleasant Dale
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.740, -96.930

Public report of hail estimated up to 1.75 inches in diameter, received via mPING.

Hail, Seward

When: May 16, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Seward County, 0.52 mi W of Pleasant Dale
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.780, -96.930

Public report of hail estimated up to 1.25 inches in diameter.

Hail, Gage

When: May 16, 7:35 PM CST
Where: Gage County, 0.53 mi W of Pickrell
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.380, -96.730

Delayed report received via social media of hail up to quarter sized in Pickrell, NE. Time estimated with radar.

Hail, Seward

When: May 16, 7:36 PM CST
Where: Seward County, 0.87 mi NW of Pleasant Dale
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.790, -96.930

Emergency management report of hail estimated up to 1 inch in diameter.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 16, 7:37 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.87 mi SW of Fairbury
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.140, -97.180

Several public reports of hail measured up to 1.75 inches in diameter.

Hail, Lancaster

When: May 16, 7:54 PM CST
Where: Lancaster County, 1.25 mi WNW of Malcolm
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.910, -96.870

Emergency management report of hail estimated up to 1 inch in diameter.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 16, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 4.2 mi SW of Plymouth
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.260, -97.040

Public report of hail measured up to 2.75 inches in diameter.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 16, 7:55 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 4.22 mi W of Plymouth
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 40.300, -97.060

Trained spotter report of hail measured up to 2.75 inches in diameter.

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 16, 7:56 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 5.27 mi W of Plymouth
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.300, -97.080

Public report of hail estimated up to 1.75 inches in diameter.

Hail, Lancaster

When: May 16, 7:58 PM CST
Where: Lancaster County, 1.25 mi WNW of Malcolm
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.910, -96.870

Emergency management report of hail measured up to 1.25 inches in diameter.

Hail, Saline

When: May 16, 8:47 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 5.55 mi N of Western
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.480, -97.210

Public report of hail estimated up to 1.75 inches in diameter. Report received via mPING.

Flash Flood, Gage

When: May 16, 9:00 PM CST to 11:10 PM CST
Where: Gage County, 3.13 mi SSE of Cortland to 1.29 mi ESE of (Bie)beatrice Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.459, -96.674

On the evening of May 16, 2026, repeated rounds of heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding across northeastern Gage County. Authorities received multiple public reports of flooded roads and overflowing creeks. The surge was driven by an intense downpour with rainfall rates of 1.50 to 2.50 inches per hour, resulting in total accumulations of 4.80 to 7.00 inches by the end of the evening.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When: May 16, 10:11 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 4.44 mi NNE of Western
Measured: 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.460, -97.170

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 73 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When: May 16, 10:14 PM CST
Where: Saline County, 5.09 mi NNE of Western
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.470, -97.170

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 66 mph.

Flash Flood, Johnson

When: May 16, 10:31 PM CST to May 17, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Johnson County, 2.31 mi NW of Crab Orchard to 1.49 mi NNW of Tecumseh
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.351, -96.455

On the evening of May 16, 2026, repeated rounds of heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding across northern Johnson County. A public report was received of flash flooding with creeks overflowing and yard flooding. The surge was driven by an intense downpour with rainfall rates of 1.50 to 2.50 inches per hour, resulting in total accumulations of 4.00 to 5.20 inches by the end of the evening.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:44 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 4.24 mi ESE of Thompson
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.040, -97.180

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 59 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:45 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 3.46 mi WSW of Fairbury
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.130, -97.230

Emergency management report of thunderstorm wind damage including a house with a roof lost west of Crystal Springs, NE. Winds were estimated at 75 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:46 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.69 mi S of Gladstone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.160, -97.300

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 66 mph.

Flash Flood, Saline

When: May 16, 10:50 PM CST to May 17, 1:10 AM CST
Where: Saline County, 3.5 mi NW of Western to 3.76 mi SSE of Friend
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 40.434, -97.249

On the evening of May 16, 2026, repeated rounds of heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding across central Saline county. Broadcast media reported water over US Highway 15. The surge was driven by an intense downpour with rainfall rates of 1.00 to 2.00 inches per hour, resulting in total accumulations of 2 to 4 inches into the early morning hours of May 17, 2026.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:52 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.38 mi S of Fairbury
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.130, -97.170

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 79 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:53 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 1.38 mi S of Fairbury
Measured: 76 kt (87 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.130, -97.170

Emergency management report of a measured wind gust of 87 mph. Also noted power outages in Fairbury, trees down, and visibility near zero statute miles.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:53 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 0.69 mi S of Gladstone
Measured: 76 kt (87 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.160, -97.300

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 88 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: May 16, 10:54 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.52 mi WSW of Fairbury
Measured: 76 kt (87 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 40.130, -97.210

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 88 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Gage

When: May 16, 11:43 PM CST
Where: Gage County, Barneston
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 40.050, -96.580

Personal weather station measured wind gust of 62 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Richardson

When: May 17, 12:32 AM CST
Where: Richardson County, Falls City
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 40.070, -95.600

KFNB ASOS measured wind gust of 61 mph at Brenner Field.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When: May 17, 1:09 AM CST to 2:00 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, 2.67 mi WNW of Endicott to 3.28 mi NE of Jansen
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.097, -97.145

On the evening of May 16, 2026, repeated rounds of heavy rainfall triggered flash flooding across central Jefferson county. Emergency management reported several streets flooded in Fairbury, NE. The surge was driven by an intense downpour with rainfall rates of 1.00 to 2.00 inches per hour, resulting in total accumulations of 2 to 4 inches into the early morning hours of May 17, 2026.

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, May 2026

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1336632, 1336633, 1336634, 1336636, 1336635, 1336637, 1336639, 1336641, 1336642, 1336640, 1336648, 1336655, 1336646, 1336653, 1336651, 1336662, 1336663, 1336661, 1336664, 1336666, 1336624, 1336675, 1336674, 1336626, 1336677, 1336692, 1336676, 1336629, 1336680, 1336678, 1336683, 1336684, 1336686, 1336688, 1336627.