Tornado Hits Wymore, Blue Springs

Southeastern Nebraska is still recovering from the effects of powerful storms last weekend that brought rain, hail, high winds and tornadoes.The Wymore and Blue Springs communities in Gage County were hit especially hard Saturday evening, during the height of the annual Sam Wymore Days celebration. Fire and rescue personnel were on scene to ensure people knew the location of storm shelters.Thankfully, despite considerable property damage, no serious injuries or deaths have been reported.Jefferson County suffered relatively little damage by comparison. FJN spoke to John McKee, Emergency manager for Jefferson and Saline Counties, who said, “Jefferson and Saline County both fared very well.”Sunday morning saw wind gusts of up to 57 miles per hour and some hail.TornadoesMultiple tornado watches and warnings were issued during the course of the storms. U.S. National Weather Services in both Nebraska and Kansas have confirmed that an EF1 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) tornado, with peak winds of 104 miles per hour, was tracked from southern Gage County into northern Marshall County, Kansas.According to the Weather Service, the tornado started at 5:40 p.m., Saturday evening, approximately seven miles south-southwest of Wymore, doing damage to trees just west of south 23rd Road between East Walnut and Willow Roads. The tornado continued south-southeastward, damaging the roof of a residence and barn, as well as power poles along Willow Road. The track then turned more southeast, crossing State Line Road into Marshall County, Kansas, between 8th and South 36th Road, where farm outbuildings were damaged. The tornado continued southeast and caused damage to power poles along US Highway 77, just south of Bison Road, before lifting shortly thereafter at 5:53 p.m.Two additional tornadoes were also confirmed, both in Kansas. Other tornadoes in were reported in Nebraska by spotters but not confirmed by the Weather Service.Mutual AidFire departments and emergency crews from other communities went to assist the Wymore Fire Department.“We did go over to Wymore the other night,” Ken Krause, Fire Chief for Fairbury, told FJN. “We went over about seven o’clock Saturday night and got back to Fairbury about 2:30 in the morning.”Krause said, “We helped them with a lightning strike on a house over there. We did some fire activities there and a lot of wellbeing checks and tree removal so the streets could be used.”FJN attempted to speak with Wymore City Superintendent Tim Sedlacek on Monday, June 13, but he said he was “swamped with calls” and unable to speak at the time. However, he did note that he was still attempting to get power back on at some locations.Fairbury Mayor Spencer Brown told FJN, “The City is happy to extend a helping hand to another community in their time of need. I am thankful for the willingness of our employees to jump in and help.”Power OutagesWymore reported extensive damage, with multiple trees and power lines down, leaving much of the city without power. As with the emergency crews, Wymore receive support from other communities for the handling of power outages. Help came from the City of Fairbury, City of Auburn, Norris Public Power, City of Beatrice and City of Crete. This is not a complete list.“Late Saturday night we took over a light power generator that provided lights for down in Arbor Park, so people down there could have something to see by,” said McKee. “We’ve got that agreement through Emergency Management that, if we need something. we call our neighbors.”While not nearly as severe, Jefferson County did also have some power outages, primarily in the Diller area.AftermathKrause told FJN, “They’ve made a lot of headway, yesterday. The town was looking different last night when I left.”However, as of press time, there was still a long way to go.After the storms moved on, many of those left without power faced high humidity and high temperatures without air conditioning. Monday especially saw dangerous temperatures of more than 100 degrees in some areas. Triples digit temperatures are anticipated throughout much of this week.The Wymore Community Center was opened as a cooling station and to allow people to charge phones and other devices. Volunteers offered food and drinks. The Salvation Army was also on hand Sunday and Monday, providing meals and to assist with cleanup.Numerous volunteers and businesses are also helping out. Steve Swarthout of Twin Rivers in Fairbury and Beatrice donated 100 cases of bottled water. Individuals have been helping to haul away downed tree branches and limbs.Wymore City Councilmember Neil VanBoening told FJN Monday morning, “The amount of tree damage is overwhelming. One blessing that we can observe from the storm devastation experience is that even though the level of damage is great, the level of kindness and desire of people to help and assist others is even greater. For that generous people characteristic, the area residents are truly thankful and appreciative. We need to keep that rainbow in view and continue to work together, continuing to make this a good place to raise families.”

Westin Requests City Vacate A Portion Of Bacon Road

Hot Racing Action At Jefferson County Speedway

Related Articles

Governor’s Tax Package Defeated (For Now)

Wind and a Squirrel Wreak Havoc with City’s Power

Fairbury High School Student Awarded Farm Bureau Scholarship

FCC Investigating 911 Outage