STEELE CITY, Neb. (AP) — Hail the size of tennis balls shredded crops in southeast Nebraska near the Kansas State line and tornado warnings were issued for Jefferson and Gage counties but have been allowed to expire.

The National Weather Service issued warnings beginning around 3:30 p.m. when a rope tornado was sighted by a storm chaser about six miles southwest of Fairbury. The storm tracked southeastward toward Endicott and Steele City.

The weather service in Omaha noted tennis ball-sized hail caused farm field damage.

Winds gusting to 60 miles per hour and golf ball-sized hail were reported in southern Gage County.

A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Pawnee and Richardson counties in Nebraska until 9 p.m. Monday.