Nenzel, NE Hail Storm – June 2026

A severe hail storm is tracking through Nenzel, NE late June 28 into the early hours of June 29, 2026, producing stones up to 5.74 inches and generating a sequence of radar-detected and warned hail cores.

What Happened

The event began June 28 at 7:58 PM CDT with an initial dual-polarization radar detection of 1.81-inch hail. Over the next nine hours the system produced 30 NWS alerts covering the Nenzel metro, alternating between NWS warnings and radar-detected hail signatures. Early NWS-only warnings appeared at 8:17 PM CDT and again at 9:24 PM CDT. Radar returns increased in intensity overnight, with repeated dual-polarization detections in the 1.5- to 3.2-inch range between 10:38 PM and 1:38 AM CDT.

Between 2:06 AM and 2:31 AM CDT the radar cores intensified, yielding multi-inch returns including a 3.71-inch detection at 2:06 AM CDT and a 4.39-inch radar-detected signature at 2:31 AM CDT as the storm traversed portions of the metro area. Additional multi-inch radar hits persisted through the pre-dawn hours, with several 2.5–3.2-inch returns logged before dawn. A local spotter at 4:00 AM CDT reported dented vehicles and observed the largest stones at about 1.5 inches in the area they were monitoring. The storm is continuing to produce hail signatures as it moves through adjacent zones.

Damage Assessment

Field reports from within the Nenzel metro show localized vehicular denting reported at 4:00 AM CDT. The spotter observation described multiple vehicles with panel dents in the immediate vicinity of their observation point, and measured hail to approximately 1.5 inches at that location. Radar indicates the storm also produced larger hail signatures as it crossed other parts of the metro, including a 4.39-inch radar-detected core at 2:31 AM CDT and several 3-inch-class detections between late night and early morning. Those larger radar returns passed through sections of the warning area where ground reports are currently limited.

Observed surface impacts are concentrated where the spotter reported vehicle damage and where overlapping radar cores crossed built-up portions of the Nenzel metro. No countywide damage survey is yet available. Inspection teams working in the reported damage zone should expect isolated vehicle denting and localized shingle or siding impact where radar cores exceeded 2.5 inches and where ground-truth reports or photos become available.

What Contractors Should Know

Field triage should start with confirmed ground reports. Begin with the 4:00 AM CDT spotter location reporting vehicle dents. Mobilize crews to that address cluster first for rapid photo documentation, metal damage assessment, and temporary tarping if roofs show punctures. Use portable magnetometers and measure hail dent diameters on vehicles or metal surfaces to corroborate spotter measurements before estimating repair scopes.