Weekend Cliffhanger Part 2
They're already calling it a hurricane on the plains. Not a bad name considering the National Weather Service has reported winds in excess of 110 mph- velocities constituting a category 3 hurricane.
Whatever they end up calling it, my wife, the beagles, and I didn't get the chance to enjoy free music and fireworks in the park on account of it. The swath of destruction that this anomalous, 5-minute severe thunderstorm caused in Omaha during rush hour last Friday was enough to uproot 80-year-old trees, shred house siding, and cancel community events.
I came home to a 70-foot maple tree that somehow managed to fall between two cars and cause only minimal damage to my neighbor's porch. A large limb came down in the backyard and took our electricity, but left our patio furniture, planter boxes, and dog house unscathed.
We're still working to restore power, but compared to the damage many Omaha homes and vehicles sustained, we got off easy. Sure, the hounds missed their chance to see Kool and the Gang, but there will be plenty of fireworks to get them worked up this weekend. Plus, now they've got a supply of twigs to chomp on to their hearts' content.