Storms, flooding came with August

Across most of Nebraska and Iowa, August brought weather that was wetter and warmer than normal, along with more heartbreaking flooding and depressing humidity.

In one final insult Monday, a freak storm closed out the month, causing significant wind damage in Ainsworth, Neb.

Buildings at two businesses were destroyed, several other businesses and houses sustained lesser damage, power was temporarily lost, and trees were twisted and felled, according to the National Weather Service.

“The way it looks, you would have thought it was a tornado,” said Kristi Thornburg, Ainsworth city administrator, clerk and treasurer.

The weather service said a “wet microburst” struck the city about 4:40 p.m. Monday, after a passing thunderhead abruptly flushed down a rush of wind and water. Winds of up to 80 mph hit the ground, spreading in several directions. As much as 1.6 inches of rain fell in 15 minutes, according to the weather service.

Other weather news from August:

Omaha had a warm and humid month. The highest temperature of the summer, 99 degrees, was recorded Aug. 11. On only one night, Aug. 25, did the temperature go below 60, dropping to 58. The unusually warm nighttime conditions added to the stress experienced by some crops.

Overall, the month ranked 14th-highest in temperature, and August rainfall was 150 percent of normal.

Central and western Nebraska also were warm and humid, with some areas receiving near normal precipitation.

The Des Moines and Ames, Iowa, areas experienced near-record-high temperatures and rainfall. It was the 13th-warmest August on record and the third-wettest, according to the weather service.

Around Ames and Des Moines, persistent heavy rains early in the month brought significant flooding, including 500-year floods along three creeks in the Ames area.

Contact the writer:

444-1102, nancy.gaarder@owh.com

« Metro/Region

Share