Spotty but beneficial rains come this week

Thunderstorms have brought both good news and bad news to our readership this week.

Saturday morning, for example, Superior area residents were rejoicing over the storm which brought much needed moisture. But Smith Center residents were in shock to see the damage winds topping 100 miles per hour had brought to their community, along with downed trees, structural damage and flooded roads.

Saturday morning the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was asking motorists to stay off the roads because of flooding and wind damage.

Bleachers at the ballfield had been overturned, light poles bent, fences downed and buildings damaged. With more than 3 inches of rain coming in about 30 minutes, flash flooding was a problem. However, the National Weather Service observer located four miles southwest of town reported only 0.36 inches.

Other weather service reports on Saturday reported 1.70 near Lawrence, 1.51 inches at Blue Hill, 1.40 at Red Cloud, 1.32 at Superior, 0.90 near Clay Center, 0.58 at Formoso, 0.44 at Lebanon and 0.10 at Beloit.

Somewhat of a surprise, small, non-severe thunderstorms crossed the area Monday afternoon.

Some CoCoRaHS rainfall reports for Saturday through Monday in the area follow.

Nora, 1.5 miles north 0.92; Lawrence, 1.60; Superior 6.5 northeast, 2.98; Superior, 8.4 miles northwest, 1.75; Deweese, 4.8 miles south southeast, 1.79; Superior .62 miles north northwest, 1,81; Superior (in town) 2.09; and Oak 3.1 miles northwest, 0.87. CoCoRaHS did not have a report for Nelson, Hardy or Ruskin communities of Nuckolls County.