High winds continue to batter Sidney region

SIDNEY, Neb. — Strong to locally damaging winds continued across the Nebraska Panhandle, southeast Wyoming and northeast Colorado on Friday, prompting ongoing high wind warnings through 5 p.m. and causing scattered damage, power outages and travel disruptions.

The National Weather Service said widespread strong winds will persist through the day, with elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions expected Friday and Saturday due to gusty winds, low humidity and dry fuels.

By midday Friday, multiple locations reported extreme wind gusts. Scottsbluff recorded a gust of 76 mph, while Alliance and Cheyenne each saw gusts exceeding 70 mph. Harrisburg reported gusts near 68 mph, with Torrington and Chadron both nearing 67 mph.

Wind damage was reported across the region. In Gering, part of a roof was blown off a structure, while siding was torn from a home in Mitchell. Trees, fences and power lines were downed in Scottsbluff, with outages extending toward Minatare. Power outages were also reported in Bridgeport. In Goshen County, Wyoming, downed trees and power poles disrupted electrical service. An overturned semi-truck blocked westbound lanes of Interstate 76 near Sedgwick, Colorado, due to the high winds.

Sidney Public Schools announced travel restrictions Friday, canceling all activities requiring bus travel due to hazardous conditions. High school basketball against Ogallala will be rescheduled, and a wrestling dual at Chase County was canceled. Activities scheduled for Saturday are expected to proceed as planned.

Both Sidney and Kimball landfills closed for the day on Friday. Hemingford released students at 12:30 p.m.  

Officials urge residents to avoid travel in high-profile vehicles, secure loose objects and avoid outdoor burning. This story will be updated as conditions change.