Storms drench several Nebraska areas, flood watch issued

Several Nebraska cities saw near-constant rainfall Saturday, leading some on track to beat rainfall records.

Forecasts issued Saturday by meteorologists warned 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall per hour in some places. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for south-central and southeastern Nebraska through Sunday morning. A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for a dozen counties in south-central Nebraska, including the cities of Grand Island, Hastings and Fairbury.

"24-hour rainfall totals by sunrise Sunday will likely reach 1 to 3 inches, but small portions of the area could end up with at least 3 to 6 inches of total rainfall, including rain that already fell during the day Saturday," the NWS wrote in its flood watch forecast.

Meteorologists said the downpours could lead to pockets of flooding or flash flooding Saturday night into Sunday morning. The National Weather Service said with rising water levels, drivers should avoid standing water on the roadways.

The National Weather Service office in Valley said Saturday evening that a few areas in Nebraska could break decades-old rainfall records.