Thousands left without power across eastern Nebraska after powerful storm

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Tens of thousands of people were left without power across Lincoln and neighboring communities Saturday morning.

As of 1:28 p.m, roughly 14,000 Lincoln Electric System customers and about 5,300 customers with Norris Public Power District were without power.

Nebraska Public Power District only reported a little over 1,000 customers without power. Further east, the Omaha Public Power District reported nearly 25,000 people without power.

A severe thunderstorm with high winds, including a gust recorded at 91 miles per hour, blew through Lincoln and the surrounding areas early Saturday morning.

Paul Crist, Vice President of Energy Delivery for LES, spoke with 10/11 Saturday afternoon, saying the bulk of the damage across Lincoln is from trees falling on power lines.