Strong thunderstorms moving through southeast Nebraska early Thursday left behind damage, injuries, and traffic disruptions.
Just before 5 a.m., a large tree fell into a house near 40th and Touzalin Avenue in northeast Lincoln. Lincoln Fire and Rescue spokesperson MJ Lierman says the department’s technical rescue team spent about 20 minutes cutting away a large tree limb and rescuing one person trapped inside. That person was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The building contained two apartments. Three residents were displaced by the damage, and the American Red Cross is assisting them. City Building and Safety officials have been called to assess the structure.
The storms also created travel problems east of Lincoln. A tractor-trailer tipped over on westbound Interstate 80 near mile marker 417, about four miles east of Waverly. Nebraska State Patrol troopers used rolling roadblocks to slow approaching traffic while crews worked at the scene.
Across Lincoln, firefighters responded to numerous storm-related calls, including downed trees, broken limbs, and arcing power lines. Crews also replaced a manhole cover that was dislodged at the intersection of 27th and Vine Streets.
(Photos: KLIN’s Tom Stanton)
Rainfall totals from the storm included 1.55 inches at Lincoln Airport, 1.6 inches in Walton, and 1.81 inches in Eagle.