Nebraska Environment & Hazard Risk

Levee R-613 failed causing major flooding at Offutt Air Force Base and the Papillion Creek Wastewater Plant.

There widespread reports of quarter to baseball size hail along and near this approximately 27 mile long path, causing widespread damage to vehicles, homes, and crops. The largest hail and most widespread vehicle and building damage occurred in Cozad. This hail was accompanied by wind gusts likely at least 50 MPH.

Hail ranging in size anywhere from quarters to 2.5 inches in diameter was reported across York and in Waco. The largest stones of 2-2.5 inches in diameter were reported in the city of York. Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH was reported in York. Damage to trees and canopies on the York College campus was reported.

This is for flooding along the Platte River. The river gage at Ashland, operated by the USGS, peaked at 24.35 feet at 7 am on March 16th. Minor flood stage is 20 feet, moderate flood stage is 22 feet while major flood stage is 26 feet. Preliminary this peak is the highest on record. Ice jamming also played a role in the flooding at this location. The net effect of this flooding was overwhelmed by the high water that immediately proceeded any river ice movement. This gage was also impacted by levee breaches all along this portion of the Platte River. Damages are based on an estimate from the Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District. This dollar amount also takes into account the substantial damage that occurred at Camp Ashland. In addition, many lake communities were substantially damaged or destroyed by the flood.

Wind gusts in this area were estimated to have peaked near 105 MPH. Damage included a number of overturned irrigation pivots and snapped wooden power poles. A large outbuilding was also damaged, an approximately 60 foot tall concrete silo was toppled, and a grain bin was blown off its foundation and into a nearby field.

A max heat index of 110 was observed at the Millard AWOS. A peak heat index of 113 was also observed at the Eppley Airfield ASOS. 37 heat related hospitalizations were reported in Douglas County by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.