Jun 22, 2023

Tornando touches down near Sidney region; tennis ball size hail

Posted Jun 22, 2023 4:23 PM

By KALIN KROHE
Panhandle Post

Severe weather landed in the Nebraska Panhandle and northeast Colorado on Wednesday afternoon, spawning tornadoes, hail and flooding.

An unconfirmed report of a tornado was spotted two miles northeast of Lorenzo near County Road 107 and Road 10 at 1:20 p.m. No damage was reported.

A storm cell spotted south of Sidney, near the city's Airport, at approximately 1:40 p.m. triggered a tornado warning and set off tornado sirens in Sidney.

Tornadoes were also reported near Sterling, Merino and Akron, Colo. Storm Chaser Tony Laubach captured video of side-by-side tornadoes forming in Washington County, Colo. near Akron.

A 58 mph wind gust was clocked at the Sidney Airport. Two-inch hail was was also reported south of Sidney. Tennis-ball-sized hail was seen in Lorenzo.

Storm chasers reported hail the size of ping pong balls in Wheatland, Wyo.

Two-and-a-half to five inches of rain fell in western Logan County, activating a flash flood warning for the region through Wednesday night.

No injuries have been reported.

The National Weather Service is warning residents to stay indoors and away from windows if a tornado warning is issued. They should also be prepared to take shelter if a tornado is spotted.

The severe weather is expected to continue through the evening. Residents are advised to monitor the weather and be prepared for the possibility of more storms.