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Severe storms swept across Phelps County, Nebraska on May 16–17, 2026, driving a destructive 94 mph wind gust right at Holdrege — one of the strongest measured anywhere in the region all spring — with 85 mph at Wilcox and golf-ball hail in Lexington. Wind that strong peels shingles, tears gutters off fascia, and leaves damage that often isn't obvious from the ground.
1.75" (Golf Ball)
Largest Hail
94 mph
Peak Wind Gust
2
Towns Hit
On the evening of May 17, 2026, a line of severe thunderstorms raked across Phelps County and produced one of the strongest wind gusts measured anywhere in the region all spring — a destructive 94 mph gust recorded right at Holdrege. The National Weather Service treats anything over 58 mph as a damaging wind event; at 94 mph this was nearly double that threshold, comparable to a Category 2 hurricane and more than enough to strip shingles, peel back ridge caps, and bring tree limbs down onto roofs.
The damaging wind reached well beyond Holdrege. An 85 mph gust hit Wilcox and a 72 mph gust was clocked near Axtell just east in Kearney County, while a 70 mph gust was measured at the Holdrege airport. The storms dropped hail too: golf-ball hail (1.75") fell in Lexington on May 17, on the heels of quarter-size hail there the day before on May 16. Wind-driven hail like that is especially hard on siding and windows because it strikes walls at an angle instead of falling straight down.
For Phelps County homeowners, May 17 was only the opening round. The same corridor was hammered again three weeks later, when 98 mph winds and baseball-size hail tore across nearby Minden, Funk, and Elm Creek on June 10–11 and Holdrege took another 81 mph gust. Roofs weakened in May and then hit again in June may be carrying damage that's well overdue for a professional look.
Here's what was reported in each community we serve. Click a town for local roofing, gutter, and siding help.
A destructive 94 mph wind gust — one of the strongest measured in the region all year — recorded right in town May 17, with a 70 mph gust at the Holdrege airport. Wind that strong strips shingles and rips gutters loose.
Holdrege storm helpGolf-ball hail (1.75") in town May 17, following quarter-size hail the day before on May 16 — back-to-back hail days that batter roofs, siding, and windows.
Lexington 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 Phelps & Dawson Counties 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.