August 8, 2014: Heavy Rainfall Leads To Flash Flooding In Kearney

August 8, 2014

Strong Wind, Large Hail and Heavy Rainfall Strike the Area

To the right is a National Weather Service Radar loop, valid from 6:00 p.m. Friday, August 8th to 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9th.

The NWS Hastings coverage area is located within the orange outlined area labeled "GID", with the Interstate highways in red.

(Click Radar Loop To Enlarge)

Event Summary:

Thunderstorm activity moved into south central Nebraska during the evening hours of Friday, August 8. Some of these storms intensified significantly and promoted severe weather across portions of the area. Hail to around the size quarters and thunderstorm wind gusts to around 60 MPH were reported from multiple locations across south central Nebraska primarily between 10 PM Friday night and 12 AM Saturday morning. The threat for large hail and strong wind gusts subsided shortly after midnight...but heavy rainfall persisted across much of the area during the early morning hours of Saturday, August 9. The city of Kearney endured one of its worst flash flooding events in several years, as rainfall amounts in excess of three inches (officially 3.19" at the airport) resulted in the stalling of dozens of vehicles. At Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, water broke through two-story ground-to-ceiling windows of the cafeteria, allowing water to rush into the building. Flood waters also breached the hospital's basement.

Read more: https://www.ketv.com/news/kearneys-good-samaritan-hospital-affected-by-flash-flood/27393210#ixzz3ACPU8j00

Rainfall amounts in excess of three inches was observed in the Kearney area...and multiple cars were stalled (due to flash flooding) across the city of Kearney.


Wind Damage from a Severe Storm August 8th, 2014. (Photo Courtesy of Eric Mortimore)	Additional Wind Damage from a Severe Storm August 8th, 2014.(Photo Courtesy of Eric Mortimore)	Lighting Struck a Tree in Kearney, NE. (Photo Courtesy of Ryan Rodehorst)

Below is a map of storm reports from across the area...

Click on the image above to enlarge