Scottsbluff community recovering from June 20 storm
Scotts Bluff County spent the day assessing damage following the June 20 thunderstorm. People were trapped in vehicles by live power lines, roofs were stripped from buildings, and trees were uprooted.
By News Channel NebraskaSCOTTSBLUFF -- An afternoon thunderstorm has crews busy assessing damage in the Scottsbluff community.
The June 20 storm occurred just as riders of the Pony Express Re-ride were entering Gering.
The thunderstorm resulted in downed power lines, roofs stripped from buildings and uprooted trees. Scottsbluff Rural Fire Department firefighters were also dispatched at 3:50 p.m. to a report of a person trapped in a vehicle with power lines wrapped around it. Several vehicles were found on Sugar Factory Road north of County Road G. with occupants trapped. The occupants were freed from the vehicles by firefighters. Firefighters were were dispatched to Terrytown at 3:51 p.m. regarding several power lines on fire.
Numerous calls of downed trees on houses and downed power lines with in our fire district were checked.
City of Scottsbluff staff are busy assessing the storm damage while clean-up efforts have begun. Officials are asking everyone to put their yard debris in the yard waste containers first, then use biodegradable yard waste bags if needed. Cut branches and trees to six feet in length. Set all debris at the curb.
Crews will spend the first part of the week picking up the debris. Debris, including large trees/branches, can be hauled to the Scottsbluff Tree Dump. Trees that have fallen in residents' yards will need to be removed from their property by the owner or tree service. The City will not enter private property to remove any down trees or branches. The Scottsbluff Tree Dump will be open on Saturday and Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM. The tree dump will be open during normal week hours and close at 4 PM today. We ask that everyone accomplish clean-up efforts by Wednesday.
The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m. today.
The Minatare Fire Department, Banner County Fire Department and Gering Fire Department assisted Scottsbluff firefighters with damage assessment. Roosevelt Public Power and Scottsbluff County Roads Department assisted in storm response as well.