2 dead after severe storms strike Plains

[jus_the_facts]

Source: AP

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) -- Severe storms with strong winds swept through the Plains on Friday, forcing swimmers practicing for U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha to flee pools and run for cover, killing two people in Iowa and knocking out power to thousands.

Officials at the Qwest Center near downtown Omaha closed the building to examine it after superstar swimmer Michael Phelps and hundreds of other athletes were herded into hallways because of a tornado warning.

Water poured into the building, down arena steps and onto the deck of the competition pool during the storm. The storm's winds may have reached 100 mph in some areas, meteorologist Bryon Miller said.

Across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa, two 18-year-old men died when a tree fell on the car they were in while they were at a friend's house, said Police Sgt. Jason Bailey. Authorities used a backhoe to free a 15-year-old girl trapped in the back seat. Damage reports in the region included toppled trees and power lines, and hail the size of baseballs. Flash flood watches were issued across Iowa, where flooding has been a problem in recent weeks.


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/06/27/severe.weather.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

[Inspired]

1. Memo to Mother Nature....no more rain for at least a couple of weeks...please?

[xxqqqzme]

2. I'm thinking Mother Nature is pissed off. eom