Storm Hits Region Tuesday Night-Freeze Watch Friday Night

Tuesday night, October 3, 2023, southeastern Nebraska was hit by a severe thunderstorm. Jefferson and Saline County Emergency management reported wind gusts in Fairbury reached up to 82.3 miles per hour.Fortunately, Jefferson and Gage counties reported minimal damage, mostly the result of fallen tree limbs.Jefferson County Rural Fire was called to the scene of a reported tree on fire in an alley near the intersection of 20th and K Streets in Fairbury. The call took place shortly before 9 p.m., during the height of the storm, facing heavy winds and rain.According to Fairbury Rural Fire Assistant Chief Barry Schwab, “Wind had blown power lines into the upper branches of the tree, which caused arcing and a little bit of fire.”In the end, firefighters did not have to intervene at all. Schwab told FJN, “The tree burned very little and had pretty well gone out on its own when we arrived on scene. We maintained the scene until Fairbury Utilities Department showed up. They climbed up the tree, repaired the line, and restored power.”As for upcoming weather, the National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch from late Friday night through Saturday morning and is predicting sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 degrees.Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.The National Weather Service recommends taking steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

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