In a scenario all to familiar to North Platte residents, a strong thunderstorm has knocked out power to more than 50,000 utility customers in the Omaha area.
The storm that moved across the area Monday morning generated winds near 70 mph, heavy rains and hail nearly an inch wide. No injuries were reported immediately after the storm.
The storm knocked down tree limbs and entire trees in places across Omaha before it moved east into Iowa. A weather spotter reported a 69 mph wind gust in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
The Omaha Public Power District reported that nearly 49,000 utility customers in Douglas County were without power around midmorning on Monday. Most of the other power outages were in Sarpy County.