Severe Weather

At least we were warned.  The weather forecasters have been predicting severe storms in the Omaha area.  About 4:30 in the afternoon, storms start rolling through the area.  Just before 5pm, the winds, rain, and hail hit at the house.

Unfortunately, I have too much stuff in the garage and can't get the car in.  I opened the garage door to look at the storm.  It looked like a high-pressure washer outside with leaves blowing with the rain.  I saw about golf-ball sized hail.  All the grass had been flattened.

Didn't take much time and the power went off.  The storm raged on and I kept of taking some photos and captured some video (at least I got video on my GoPro).  Getting near 6:30, I decided to pack up the computer and drive to town for dinner at Panera.

As I got into the car, I noticed some dimples in the roof.  In that car, I could see that the windshield was cracked from at least 2 hail stones.  Guess I know what I will be doing tomorrow - insurance estimates and windshield replaced.

Less than an mile down the road it is blocked by a large tree branch across the road.  The branch tore the power lines from the pole.

When I got to Panera, I was wondering if they were even opened.  Almost no one in the bakery.  Ordered some dinner and booted up the computer.  While there, another squall hit town.  Radar was showing it was going to be a long night.  It was time to head to the house to see if power was back on.

As I bottomed the hill at Keg Creek, I saw it was much higher than it was just 2 hours early.  It is now out of its banks.  Heading back up 275th St to the house, I had to dodge that same tree.  No effort has been made to clear the street or repair the downed power lines.  Since it was getting dark and more storms are on the squall line, it looked like it was anybody's guess when power might me restored.

Stopped down at the bottom of the hill to look at the creek level.  In the 28 years I have lived here, i have not seen water this high.  Packed my pill caddy and a small bag for a change of clothes and headed to town.  Checked into a motel in town.  At least have power and comfort for the night.