Severe winds damage trees, causes power outages in Hastings

HASTINGS, Neb. – Wind gusts of more than 60 MPH caused power outages and left debris on the ground in much of Hastings Tuesday morning. 

During Monday night's storm system, the National Weather Service in Hastings says gusts as high as 63 MPH were recorded at the Hastings Municipal Airport. 

The strong winds took a hold of tree branches and scattered debris across the city. 

According to the Hastings Utilities Department, the severe weather caused power outages for 177 customers, but power was restored as of 6:41 a.m. Tuesday. 

The Utilities Dept. says most of the outages were caused in the Lochland neighborhood on the northwest side of town due to two blown junction fuses at Lochland Rd and Baltimore Ave.

An NCN reporter saw dozens of Hastings yards littered with tree debris on Tuesday morning. 

A massive tree in the yard of a home on Burlington Avenue appeared to be nearly split in half. 

The NWS says only 0.4 inches of rain fell, and the winds were the most damaging weather factor. 

Scattered thunderstorms are expected again on Tuesday evening, with much of central and south-central Nebraska in either a slight or severe risk of severe weather.