Loading...
Loading...
Severe storms rolled through Thayer County, Nebraska on May 17–18, 2026, dropping tennis-ball-size hail on Deshler, spinning up an EF0 tornado near Hebron, and driving winds over 80 mph through Chester, Carleton, Davenport, and Bruning. Hail that size cracks shingles and shatters vinyl siding — and a lot of the damage hides until the next heavy rain.
2.50" (Tennis Ball)
Largest Hail
86 mph
Peak Wind Gust
EF0 (near Hebron)
Tornado
6
Towns Hit
On the afternoon and evening of May 17, 2026, supercell thunderstorms developed across Thayer County and produced the full severe-weather trifecta: large hail, damaging wind, and a tornado. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF0 tornado about two miles from Hebron, while spotters and weather stations reported wind gusts up to 86 mph near Chester and 82 mph near Carleton.
Deshler took the worst of the hail. Tennis-ball hail (2.50") and hen-egg hail (2.00") were reported right in town — stones large enough to crack shingles, dent metal, and punch holes in vinyl siding in a single pass. The storms continued into May 18 with more hail across Davenport and Bruning.
Hail this size almost always leaves damage, but much of it isn't visible from the driveway. Bruised shingles and broken granule surfaces can look fine from the ground while quietly shortening the life of your roof and opening the door to leaks months down the road.
Here's what was reported in each community we serve. Click a town for local roofing, gutter, and siding help.
Tennis-ball hail (2.50") and hen-egg hail (2.00") reported in town on May 17, with 59 mph winds — a direct hit on roofs and siding.
Deshler storm helpAn EF0 tornado confirmed about two miles from town May 17, plus wind gusts to 67 mph.
Hebron storm helpWind gusts to 78 mph on May 17 and walnut-size hail (1.50") on May 18.
Davenport storm help77 mph wind gusts May 17 and hail up to 1.25" — the latest in a rough year for the town.
Bruning storm helpWind gusts of 70–82 mph swept through the area May 17.
Carleton storm helpAn 86 mph gust — the strongest measured wind of the event — recorded near town May 17.
Chester storm helpStorm damage is often invisible from the ground. Here's a homeowner's checklist after an event like this one.
In Nebraska you typically have a limited window — often one to two years from the date of the storm — to file a hail or wind damage claim. The sooner you document damage, the stronger your claim. We'll inspect your roof for free, show you exactly what we find with photos, and help you understand your options before you ever commit to anything.
If you live in Thayer County and this storm came through your area, let us take a look. There's no cost and no obligation — just an honest assessment from a local crew that's been doing this since 2012.
Fill out the form and we'll be in touch within a few hours.