Lemoyne, NE Hail Storm – September 2026

A concentrated hail core moved through Lemoyne, Nebraska, on September 17, 2026, producing up to 2.21 inches of hail and prompting multiple NWS warnings across the evening. The storm developed into a compact, early-evening hail producer with both radar-detected and spotter-verified observations.

What Happened

NWS issued eight alerts for the warning area between 6:18 PM CDT and 9:52 PM CDT as the system traversed the region. Initial warnings began at 6:18 PM CDT for 1.00-inch hail and recurred through the evening as the hail intensity fluctuated across the warning area. Dual-polarization radar first flagged a stronger core at 8:32 PM CDT with a radar-derived hail estimate, and radar again indicated elevated hail signatures at 8:55 PM CDT.

At 8:56 PM CDT a spotter-verified report documented 1.50-inch hail on U-26 between Broadwater and Lisco. One documented public report submitted via mPING at 9:05 PM CDT recorded 0.50-inch hail nearby. A NWS warning issued at 8:57 PM CDT referenced 1.50-inch hail estimates. Later alerts returned to lower size estimates as the cell weakened before 10:00 PM CDT. The combination of repeated NWS warnings and dual-polarization radar detections shows a short-lived but intense hail core that moved through the Lemoyne warning area in the early evening.

Damage Assessment

Field reports identify the highest surface impacts along U-26 between Broadwater and Lisco, where a spotter-verified observation recorded 1.50-inch stones at 8:56 PM CDT. Aside from that report, available local storm reports include a 0.50-inch public observation at 9:05 PM CDT. No structured damage reports were included in the submitted local storm reports for Lemoyne on September 17.

Radar-detected hail signatures correspond with the times and location of the spotter observation, indicating the storm produced concentrated impacts rather than a broad swath of severe hail. Observers and public reports were limited in number and clustered near the U-26 corridor. Where the 1.50-inch report was logged, expect impact evidence consistent with ping-pong–sized hail on exposed vehicles, outbuildings, and unprotected roofing materials.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections along U-26 between Broadwater and Lisco and in Lemoyne proper. Start with a visual perimeter survey from the road to identify dented vehicles, damaged siding, skylights, and missing roof granules. On roofs, document shingle bruising, granule loss, and edge damage with high-resolution photos and geotags. The presence of 1.50-inch impacts in the spotter report suggests a pattern of concentrated, large impacts rather than uniformly distributed micro-impacts.

Plan crews for wet conditions and reduced daylight if working into the evening. Use ladders and walk boards to minimize additional roof damage. When assessing metal roofs and HVAC units, check for round indentations and paint scuffs consistent with ping-pong–sized hail. For insurance documentation, pair timestamped field photos with the spotter-verified observation and radar-derived evidence noted in the NWS warnings.