Omaha, Nebraska – Residents across eastern Nebraska are urged to prepare for intense thunderstorms packing quarter-size hail, wind gusts up to 70 mph, and frequent lightning, as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 3 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, the watch covers major cities including Omaha, Lincoln, York, Blair, Beatrice, and extends into southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa. More than 1.7 million people, 787 schools, and 77 hospitals are within the risk area. Isolated hail and scattered damaging winds are possible, with the greatest impacts expected along highways I-80, I-29, and U.S. 81.
Travelers should avoid non-essential driving overnight, especially in rural stretches where sudden downed branches or debris may block roadways. Residents are advised to secure outdoor items, charge cell phones, and know their nearest storm shelter. Omaha Public Power District and Lincoln Electric System crews are on alert for outages. Past July storms have caused widespread tree damage and scattered blackouts in the region…