A Nebraska family’s quiet evening turned into chaos when a powerful hailstorm ripped through their town, leaving behind $150,000 in damage. The storm, which also included tornadoes and 80 mph winds, left a path of destruction in its wake, with hailstones as large as baseballs smashing windows, vehicles, and rooftops.
Chelsi Pettit, who lives just outside Omaha, shared her family’s harrowing experience of the storm that lasted only 15 minutes but left a deep emotional impact. “It was extremely loud. It sounded like gunshots going off in every direction,” Pettit recalls.
With a basement as their only safe shelter, Pettit and her husband, both lifelong Nebraskans, took refuge at her parents’ home, where they huddled with their pets. The storm’s intensity was felt immediately. “We knew it was going to be bad when we saw storm chasers and the Dominator 3 in our town,” she said.
Despite the storm’s brief duration, the damage was immense. Pettit’s parents’ home sustained significant damage, including broken windows, a ruined roof, and damaged outdoor lights and plants. Her own house was similarly affected, with damage to personal items inside. The Pettits have yet to estimate the cost of repairing their home, but Pettit’s parents have been given a $150,000 damage estimate.
“The hardest part is seeing all the hard work we put into our yard and outdoor space destroyed,” Pettit says. The cleanup process is ongoing, with debris still scattered and windows boarded up.
Though the storm caused severe damage, Pettit feels grateful that things weren’t worse. “Our animals and lives are safe, and we still have a home standing. Homes can be fixed, and plants can be replaced,” she reflects.
Moving forward, the family plans to take extra precautions and stay on top of weather developments to ensure they’re better prepared for the future.
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