Storm damage closes Western Nebraska Regional Airport Saturday

SCOTTSBLUFF - Damage from hurricane force winds Friday forced the closure of a Nebraska Panhandle airport Saturday.

Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff cancelled all flights, closed the restaurant and was not giving access to rental cars Saturday because of damage the airport sustained during a high-wind event Friday.

The National Weather Service office in Cheyenne said an unusual storm front, featuring an area of low pressure combining with a high pressure system from the northwest, went through Scottsbluff at 8 p.m. The storm propelled winds to 83 mph at 7:53 p.m., which damaged a roof and a 40x40 skylight at the airport.

The airport damage was just an example of what the Scottsbluff area received on Friday. Trees were uprooted, power poles snapped into pieces and other structures suffered damage. Approximately 4,000 people lost power.

Power was also knocked out in Lodgepole. Wheat Belt Public Power District reported scattered outages still remained as of 10:45 a.m. Saturday. They also said there were outages north of Lisco.

A high wind warning continues until midnight Saturday.

69-71 mph winds were felt in Sterling, Akron and Julesburg, Colo. on Friday. Holyoke recorded winds at 63 mph.

Record high temperatures Friday were registered North Platte (97), Imperial (96), Broken Bow (96) and Valentine (97).