Storms hit Nebraska, Iowa, rip homes

OMAHA, Neb. — Residents in parts of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa were cleaning up Saturday after severe thunderstorms — some producing hurricane-force winds — shattered homes, tore down trees and left thousands without power.

The National Weather Service in Valley, just west of Omaha, said storms Friday night blasted Omaha and surrounding areas with heavy rain, hail and wind gusts of nearly 90 mph. The service has not confirmed any tornadoes with the storm, but has sent investigators to northeastern Nebraska and Bellevue, just south of Omaha, where the most damage was reported. No serious injuries were reported as of Saturday morning.

“Our office here in Valley recorded a gust up to 88 mph. That’s hurricane-force,” said Weather Service meteorologist David Pearson. “We have unconfirmed reports of winds much higher. A lot of people with backyard equipment have reported winds around 100 mph.”

Some homes in Bellevue were torn apart, and Offutt Air Force Base just south of the city requested that only essential personnel report to the base on Saturday as crews worked to clean up damaged homes and downed trees.

AP/NATI HARNIK A neighbor walks past damaged homes Saturday in the Hyda Hills neighborhood of Bellevue, Neb.