Thunderstorm Wind in Washington County, Nebraska

Thunderstorm downburst winds produced a 5 to 6 mile wide path of damage from around 5 miles southwest of Ft. Calhoun into the Ft. Calhoun area. The wind damage was from the same storm complex that produced the damage in northwest Douglas county. Winds with this damage path were estimated by the NWS to be stronger than those observed in Douglas county, perhaps around 100 mph. The winds caused extensive tree damage and also destroyed a house just northwest of Ft. Calhoun causing 2 minor injuries. Windows were reported to be blown out by the winds and wind driven hail also caused substantial window, roof and siding damage with an estimated 85 percent of all homes in town damaged to some degree. One woman required emergency room treatment after being caught out in the open and pelted with hail up to quarter size. The storm caused an estimated 3 million dollars worth of damage.