The National Weather Service documented a severe derecho extending from Kansas to Wisconsin on Thursday, May 12th.  Damage occured in a strip extending from eastern Nebraska into southwest Minnesota and incorporating parts of South Dakota and northwest Iowa.  The storm deprived over 70,000 consumers of power and one fatality was recorded.  The storm attained forward speeds averaging 65 to 80 miles per hour  with gusts measured at 100 miles prer hour in South Dakota. The derecho was accompanied by a haboob dust storm.  Damage was extremely severe on many farms destroying barns and grain storage bins in addition to lifting roofs and overturning vehicles and equipment.

Wireless emergency alerts were issued by state weather services emphasizing the power of the storm and warning residents in the path of the derecho to seek cover.