ALLIANCE - Hail larger than softballs flattened wheat fields when two severe storms whipped through Box Butte County on Friday, July 9, 2021. Hail stones measured 4.25 inches in diameter, according to the National Weather Service office in Cheyenne.

The large stones fell 12 miles southeast of Hemingford at 5:40 p.m. The NWS says hail that measured 3.30 inches in diameter fell nine miles northeast of Angora at 6:19 p.m. Alliance had three-inch size hail at 5:50 p.m.

In Kimball County, the weather service says hail that measured 1.75 inches in diameter fell five miles east of Bushnell. 

"We're hoping for a speedy cleanup and recovery by these communities," the National Weather Service said in a statement. "Many communities noted broken windows on cars and in homes, downed trees and significant crop damage."

The Alliance Airport registered a wind gust of 88 mph at 10:07 p.m. A wind gust of 63 mph was recorded in Harrison. 

The weather service is investigating a possible tornado 17 miles north of Van Tassell in Niobrara County, Wyo.

Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Association (PREMA) crew members are replacing 60 poles that sustained damaged around Ellsworth, Hyannis and Arthur. They hoped to have power restored to all customers by Sunday evening.