Alfie plays in water after a road washes out on Singleton Ranch that straddles the border between Kimball and Banner Counties. Photo courtesy of Shavonne Singleton

County roads in Kimball County are off limits to heavy trucks Friday and other vehicles are encouraged to use extreme caution. Kimball Public Schools announced mud routes for their school buses for Friday. Some parents will have to take their students to an alternate drop off location in the morning and pick their student up from there in the afternoon so that buses do not get stuck on county roads.

"I wish we could just close the county roads," Kimball County Highway Superintendent Randal Bymer said. "We have a number of roads that have washed out and even more are washing out. Everyone has to be very careful."

A total of 1.4 inches of rain have fallen in the City of Kimball with ranchers from around the county reporting as much as 3.6 inches. The Banner County totals are higher yet. While Harrisburg reported 2.7 inches, western Banner County has received as much as 5.2 inches this week, primarily from a Tuesday night into Wednesday storm that stalled over the area.

While some Banner County roads have been damaged by the storm, there are no current restrictions on travel within the county.

Most residents of the area welcome the rain fall. While an eventful winter brought an above average snow fall, snow produces very little actual moisture. Things like wind and hail can make these storms a negative, however both of those were scarce during this storm meaning the rain will create a season long positive effect on crops and for livestock.

The City of Kimball reports no damage from the weather event.

"I drove around last evening and didn't find any problems, but things really are starting to green up," Mayor of Kimball John Morrison said.

While the forecast has the rain subsiding Friday afternoon, it is back in the forecast on Sunday and Monday of next week with severe weather returning as soon as next Wednesday.