Storm Batters Area

STORM DAMAGE -- A grain bin at the Scribner Grain facility north of Emmet was damaged as a result of the major storm that went through Holt County on Monday.

A dangerous storm that went through the O'Neill and Atkinson area had everyone on their toes Monday evening.

The storm sent Holt and Boyd County residents to their basements as funnel clouds and gustnados, low-level rotating clouds resembling tornados, popped up throughout the northern part of Holt and southern Boyd County.

Around 5:00 p.m. Atkinson spoters reported a funnel on the ground three miles south of Atkinson as well as softball size hail in Atkinson.

Officials also reported funnel clouds north of Emmet around the same time. Swirling clouds and rotation led to the sounding of the civil defense sirens in O'Neill around 6:00 p.m. Damage was reported at the Scribner Grain Facility north of Emmet with power lines down, irrigation systems damaged and a grain bin and the rigging at the site damamged. The Sheriff's Department reported numerous funnels north and west of O'Neill tracking them east. A huge gustnado was reported by O'Neill spotters just east of O'Neill kicking up dirt from freshly plowed fields that appeared to be the start of a half-mile wide tornado only to vanish when it left the fields for grassy pastures.

The all-clear siren was blown after 7:00 p.m. during heavy rains that resulted in a little over an inch total.

(0) COMMENTS

Welcome to the discussion.