Welcome rainfall drenches McCook

The lights on Nebraska State Patrol Sgt. Ted Mashek's cruiser reflect off rainwater rushing onto U.S. Highway 6-34 between McCook and Indianola, near the Timmerman Feedlot turnoff, Thursday evening.

INDIANOLA -- "The good Lord was with us," said Indianola farmer-rancher Dennis McConville about the rain that fell -- finally -- on Red Willow County Thursday evening.

McConville dumped 3.25 inches from his rain gauge this morning. Red Willow County Sheriff Gene Mahon said he has heard reports of rain anywhere from one inch to four inches. The McCook airport reported 1.65 inches and the Bureau of Reclamation office reported 1.67 inches.

Other reports provided by the Bureau included: Hugh Butler Lake, 2.33; Swanson Lake, .05; Enders Lake, .02; Harry Strunk Lake, .27; Norton..06; and Harlan County .22. Other unofficial amounts ranged to five inches or more, with the heaviest precipitation in a 10 to 20-mile radius around McCook.

In True Hall Gymnasium, McCook Community College volleyball players paused to wipe up leaks from the downpour outside during games against the Hastings Junior Varsity and Western Nebraska.

Recent reconstruction has improved the situation, but B Street was still several inches deep in water during the heaviest rainfall at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

McConville said the clouds looked strange, and green, during the evening and he anticipated hail. The sheriff said, however, he's heard of only small hail in McCook, and no damage.

McConville said, "It was just perfect. Even got some water in the dams, for the cattle."

The rain will help wheat planting this fall. McConville said he and his wife, Kem, had planned on planting their wheat very shallow, so it didn't whither away after sprouting. This rain will provide some good ground moisture, McConville said, but added, "Mother Nature's going to have to kick in some more."

But the outlook's better. "We're an optimistic bunch, aren't we?" he chuckled.