Violent weather conditions result in one fatality, another injury, and displacement of hundreds of prison inmates in Nebraska.
Strong Storms Cause Damage and Injuries Across Midwest
A series of strong storms swept through the Midwest on Saturday, causing damage, injuries, and one fatality in Nebraska and Wisconsin. The storms were the result of a slowly moving cold front that brought several rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms to the region.
The Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln was one of the areas affected by the storms. Two housing units were damaged, but all staff and incarcerated individuals are safe and accounted for. Unfortunately, the damage displaced 387 prisoners from the facility.
In a tragic incident, a man was trapped inside a vehicle and seriously injured when a large cottonwood tree fell on it in Two Rivers state park, a popular camping spot located about 5 miles (8 kilometers) west of Omaha's western border. The man was later taken to an Omaha hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The storms also caused widespread damage across eastern Nebraska, including toppled trees, damaged roofs, and downed electrical lines. In Blair, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Omaha, the roof of a warehouse was torn open by high winds.
Thousands of people were left without power in the immediate aftermath of the storm. The National Weather Service reported gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) in eastern Wisconsin's Door Peninsula and gusts higher than 80 mph (129 kph) in the affected area during the storm.
The severe weather threat is expected to continue from Saturday night into Sunday, stretching from western Colorado into Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, northern Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The National Weather Service has issued warnings and advisories for these areas, urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
The news reported that the severe weather threat is also anticipated in Toronto, as the National Weather Service has issued warnings and advisories, urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
In addition to the Midwest, car-accidents caused by fallen trees were reported in general-news, with a man seriously injured when a large tree fell on his vehicle near Two Rivers state park.
Meanwhile, the arts community is mourning the loss of a renowned sculptor based in Omaha, whose studio was destroyed by one of the storm's heavy winds.
Media outlets across the states are reported to be providing regular updates on the weather conditions and damage reports, aiming to keep the public informed amid the ongoing storms.
