Sarpy County Storms: Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista and Gretna

Sarpy County at a glance

NOAA's Storm Events Database is the source. Almost a third of the county's thunderstorm wind events, 20 of 68, reached 65 knots or more, a higher share than in Douglas County.

June 2024: two hail swaths in two weeks

On June 12, 2024, a swath of hail moving out of eastern Douglas County continued into eastern Sarpy County, hitting Bellevue and Offutt Air Force Base with stones mostly from quarter to tennis ball size and a report of baseball-size hail just north-northwest of Bellevue. Thirteen days later, a very slow-moving supercell dropped a destructive swath of hail across northern and eastern Sarpy County, with most stones between quarter and baseball size and the largest measuring 4.5 inches.

That 4.5-inch stone ties the county's largest in the database from 2000 through 2025, matched by a May 4, 2003 storm that brought softball-size hail to the Bellevue and Offutt area and damaged cars, windows, siding and roofs. On June 4, 2005, softball-size hail fell in Papillion, at the northern edge of the county.

Wind, a tornado and a levee

• June 16, 2017. An EF2 tornado began in the Two Springs area of Bellevue and moved through several subdivisions, with the worst damage to homes in Hyda Hills, before crossing U.S. Highway 75. FEMA's DR-4325 includes Sarpy County.
• July 31, 2024. Storms produced widespread wind damage, with an 80 mph gust measured in Papillion and narrow swaths near Gretna consistent with winds closer to 100 mph; the estimate is $15 million, and the county is in FEMA's DR-4838.
• April 20, 2023. An NWS survey confirmed a downburst near Gretna about 3 miles long and 1.7 miles wide that damaged grain bins and the roofs of barns and at least one home.
• March 15, 2019. Levee R-613 failed, causing major flooding at Offutt Air Force Base and the Papillion Creek wastewater plant, with a $420 million estimate; Sarpy County is in DR-4420.

Nebraska checks for a Sarpy County roofer

Start with NDOL's registration search. Nebraska law requires a registered contractor to report changes to its registration information within 15 days, and to tell the Commissioner of Labor at least 10 days before any change in workers' compensation coverage, so the record should match the company in front of you. If it does not, a written complaint to the commissioner that includes your name and address must receive a written response with the results of the investigation.

If your roofer wants to be paid through an assignment of your insurance benefits, Nebraska's assignment rules say the assignment may name the contractor as a co-payee, must reach your insurer within five business days, and cannot impair the interest of a mortgage lender listed on your policy. The homepage explains your cancellation and deductible rights.

Sarpy County roofers on the National Roofing Directory

NRD has city pages for Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista and Gretna.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest hail recorded in Sarpy County?

NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 4.5-inch hail as the county's largest from 2000 through 2025, reached twice: in the June 25, 2024 swath across northern and eastern Sarpy County, and near Gretna on May 4, 2003.

Did the 2017 Bellevue tornado get a federal disaster declaration?

Sarpy County is included in FEMA's DR-4325, declared August 1, 2017 for severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds beginning June 12, 2017, four days before the Bellevue tornado.

What can I do if a Nebraska roofer is not registered?

File a written complaint with the Commissioner of Labor. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. 48-2113, a complaint that includes your name and address receives a written response on the results of the investigation.