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A 'tropical storm' before the calm

By Nancy Gaarder
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Light rains fell in the Omaha metro area overnight, but a much different story unfolded in Cass County.

An “almost a tropical-level rain storm” hit the county, said Bill Cover, the county's emergency management director.

More than 4 inches fell in Weeping Water. As the water flushed down the Weeping Water Creek, its level rose 10 feet in 45 minutes at Union.

Numerous county roads flooded, but no homes appear to have been damaged, authorities said. An assessment was under way Thursday as water receded and daylight made for a safer survey.

The stormy weather also caused about 5,000 Omaha Public Power District customers to lose power, primarily in Cass and Otoe counties.. Restoration was under way Thursday, and all but about 200 had power back by mid-morning, said spokesman Jeff Hanson.

Large hail, 1 inch to 1.75 inches, fell in western Douglas County at about 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Heavy rains fell throughout southeast Nebraska: Lincoln received 2.53 inches, while Falls City got 2.61 inches.

“This is probably the wettest summer I can recall since 1993,” Cover said.

Skies are expected to begin clearing today and the next chance for rain is Monday evening.

The following Omaha readings are for the overnight rainfall and the two-day rainfall:

• 32nd, Tucker. 0.14 inches overnight; 1.5 inches since rain started.
• 54th, Farnam: 0.3 inches overnight; 1.7 inches since rain started.
• Central Papillion: 0.36 inches overnight; 1.36 since rain started.
• Eppley Airfield: .04 inches overnight; 1.50 since rain started.
• Valley: 0.4 inches overnight; 0.5 inches since rain started.

World-Herald staff writer Adam Ziegler contributed to this report.


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