Severe storms could hit Omaha metro area this evening, debris drop-off at three sites extended (2024)

Two to three inches of rain fell across the Omaha area early Wednesday and more storms are expected to develop this evening.

In a post on X, the National Weather Service in Valley said the most likely area where strong to severe storms could develop sometime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. includes Omaha, Lincoln, Fremont, Beatrice, Nebraska City and Tekamah all the way east to Atlantic, Iowa.

The weather service said storms are likely to produce wind gusts up to 75 miles per hour, hail measuring up to the size of softballs, heavy rain that could result in localized flooding and possibly a tornado or two.

"We're looking at storms developing in southeast Nebraska (and) maybe far southwest Iowa," said Michaela Wood, a meteorologist with the weather service. "We could see all kinds of hazards with these."

The storms could track through the Omaha area or dodge north or south, Wood said. Storms are not likely to be widespread.

"It's going to be one of those cases where not everybody is going to get (stormy) weather," Wood said.

The threat of tornadoes is forecast to die down as storms push east into Iowa. Conversely, the threat of strong winds is forecast to pick up in that direction.

The potential for storms this evening follows what was a very wet early morning Wednesday.

Thunderstorms with high winds and a colorful lightning display rolled through the Omaha area starting about 3 a.m. Gross said rainfall reports, as of 6 a.m., from some electronic gauges had already recorded up to three inches in several areas.

Eppley Airfield officially recorded 1.21 inches of rain while the town of Valley reported 1.71 inches. The highest amounts were recorded in the Bellevue area where one location reported 4 inches of rain.

The storms will add to Omaha's already above average amount of rainfall. Prior to the Wednesday morning storms, Omaha had received 25.41 inches of rain for the year which is 4.23 inches above average.

Flash flood warnings were also issued until 7 a.m. for Omaha and surrounding towns. Gross said her office had not received any reports of streams spilling over their banks.

The city announced Thursday afternoon that tree debris drop-off sites, which opened in the aftermath of the July 31 windstorm, at Al Veys Park at 6606 S. 60th St. and Hefflinger Park at 1111 W. Maple Rd., will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday. The drop-off sites are for green debris only and do not accept lawn bags.

Greenbriar Park in the Elkhorn area and the football field at 156th and F Streets will not reopen due to being at capacity for tree debris.

The weather forecast on Thursday and Friday is expected to be calm, if a bit warm.

"The rain should be clearing out by Thursday morning," Gross said. "It appears that we will be dry but it will be humid with a high (temperature) of 85."

Friday is likely to be dry as well, she said. The high is again forecast to be in the mid-80s.

World-Herald Staff Writer Dan Crisler contributed to this report.