OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Thunderstorms have lashed several parts of eastern Nebraska, leaving thousands of people without power and some stranded by street flooding and storm debris. The National Weather Service says an off-duty weather service employee saw a rope tornado briefly touch down around 8 p.m. Tuesday, three miles south-southeast of Kennard in Washington County. No injuries were reported.

The Omaha Public Power District reported that as of 5 a.m. today (Wednesday), nearly 9,700 customers were without power in Douglas and several other counties.
Up to 6 inches of rain was reported near Blair, and street flooding occurred in Omaha, Fremont and other cities.

Across the Missouri River, about 5-miles north/northwest of Council Bluffs, winds gusted from 65- to as much as 96-miles per hour from 9:45-p.m. through 10:15-p.m. Flights into Omaha’s Epply Airfield were diverted to other airports during the peak thunderstorm activity.