Plains, South Suffer Violent Storms, Record Rain

A phalanx of violent thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, rain and snow across much of the nation’s midsection abated Saturday but still pounded parts of the plains, Rockies and the South.

South-central and eastern Nebraska residents endured severe thunderstorms that whipped the region with heavy rain, large hail and tornadoes, while Shreveport, La., received an additional seven inches of rain, setting a record.

Shreveport authorities attributed a second death to the weather, bringing the national total since Wednesday to 15. One boy was missing and presumed dead.

Of the other weather-related deaths, five occurred in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, three in Wisconsin, two in Utah, two in Iowa and one in Nebraska.

Heavy rain soaked a widespread area--including parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, and flash flood watches were posted for much of the region, the National Weather Service said.

Tornado watches were in effect for parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, one day after 23 twisters swept through the area.

With up to four inches of rain falling in northeast Iowa, minor flooding was reported Saturday on some low-lying streets and on farm fields along rivers and creeks.

The body of a 16-year-old boy was found in Shreveport. And a 6-year-old Bossier City boy was missing and presumed dead after he was swept down a street drain near his home.

Northwest Louisiana residents began cleaning up Saturday as state and local officials assessed damage from floodwaters that poured into more than 500 homes.

“We have no idea of the amount of damage,” said Chuck Mazziotti, Shreveport Civil Defense director. “We estimate it at well over $5 million, compared with past floods, but it could be much more than that.”

Shreveport and Bossier City were hardest hit by flash-flooding Friday after storms brought 80 m.p.h. winds and record rainfall of 10.42 inches over 12 hours.

Showers and thunderstorms rumbled across eastern Nebraska early Saturday. Parts of the state also shivered under cold temperatures and light snow. Scottsbluff tied a record low of 15 overnight.