Severe Thunderstorms Rock The Panhandle; 3 Tornado Warnings Issued

       Mother Nature battered the Panhandle last night with severe thunderstorms across the region and tornado warnings for Sioux, Morrill, and Box Butte Counties. 

      There have been no reports yet of confirmed tornado sightings, but hail and high straight winds did enough damage on their own.

      Baseball-sized hail fell on Alliance and hail up to 1-¾” was reported about 8 miles south of Chadron. 

     Mac’s Carnival halted operations at Chadron’s Fur Trade Days more than 2 hours early because of a combination of lightning and heavy rain – half an inch at the adjacent KCSR-KBPY studios.

     The carnival was scheduled to begin its final night today at 5:00, but will instead open at 3:00 and honor unlimited ride wristbands for 7-to-midnight from last night.

       The rain also halted the last game of the night at the American Legion Area 7 Junior Tournaments in Chadron and Alliance. The game in Chadron will resume at 2:00 and the game in Gordon and 3:00.