Flash Flood in Lancaster County, Nebraska

Numerous reports from a variety of sources of flash flooding in the southeast part of the city of Lincoln. Rainfall reports of 3.5 to over 5 inches of rainfall were received. This along with areas of several inches accumulation of hail led to widespread street flooding in the area. Small streams and creeks in the area also overflowed including Stevens Creek. Water was flowing over the bridge where Holdridge Street crosses Stevens Creek. Severe water rescues were performed from stranded motorists.

Heavy rain caused flash flooding which caused extensive damage to basements and businesses and closed numerous county roads, mostly south of Lincoln, and especially along Salt Creek. Gravel was washed from roads and cropland was also flooded. It was estimated that resurfacing gravel roads alone would cost $180,000 and damage to homes and businesses could approach $1 million. Unofficial reports of up to 8 inches of rain fell from this storm.

Heavy rain caused flash flooding from south of Malcolm into the Lincoln area and then south to Firth. Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches was reported during the afternoon, which was on top of an inch or two that fell that morning. Lincoln picked up 3.35 inches for the day, with heavier unofficial amounts reported across the city. The flooding closed several county roads near Malcolm and Wilderness Park and several blocks of Old Cheney Road near the Highway 77 bypass was closed. The flooding also caused scattered damage to homes and vehicles across the city. At least 3 cars were stuck in flood waters in the Highlands area, with street flooding as high as car windows. Flooded vehicles were also reported on O Street in the downtown area and some damage to houses was observed by flooding near the 48th and Saint Paul area.|Flooding was also observed along a 3 block stretch of Nemaha Street in Firth with some basement flooding and basement wall collapses reported.