BlockBenkelman, Nebraska
7 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1979. It stands in Benkelman No. 2 precinct. It lies in ZIP code area 69021. It stands on Spring Creek. The Survey maps it on the Benkelman quadrangle. 821 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 2,986 feet above sea level.
On record in Benkelman
Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.
On the National Register 2 records
Dundy County Courthouselisted 1990- Zorn Theatrelisted 2021
Population over time
2 figuresBenkelman fell from 953 to 821 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 953 | |
| 2020 | 821 | -132 (-14%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
5 surveys from 7 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1954 USGS McCook quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1957 USGS McCook quadrangle1:250000
- 1958 USGS McCook quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1961 USGS Benkelman quadrangle1:24000
- 1979 USGS Benkelman quadrangle1:100000
Fires near this place
7 since 2007Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 7 fires within 5 miles of Benkelman between 2007 and 2017, burning about 147 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 2 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 2 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 1 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 September 2007 | Misuse of fire by a minor | under an acre | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 21 August 2007 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | 1.0 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 7 July 2007 | Debris and open burning | 1.0 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 30 June 2008 | Equipment and vehicle use | under an acre | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 9 February 2017 | Debris and open burning | 5.0 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 7 November 2007 | Equipment and vehicle use | 140 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 2 January 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Storms near this place
60 of 171 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Benkelman in 171 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 100 hail, 50 thunderstorm wind, 9 flash flood, 8 tornado. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2007 | Tornado (EF1) | Benkelman | $460,000 | Tornado moved into county from northern Cheyenne county, Kansas 3 miles SE of Benkelman, and dissipated 8 miles NNE of Benkelman. Total path length of the tornado was 15 miles, with 12 of those miles being in Dundy county. Three homes were affected by the tornado east of Benkelman, with one home north of Hwy 34 losing its roof and suffering significant property damage, including loss of a barn and other outbuildings. Other homes south of Hwy 34, just north of the golf course experienced damage, including loss of a garage and carport at one location, and garage and grain bins destroyed at another. The golf course experienced significant tree damage as well. |
| April 2013 | Tornado (EF1) | Benkelman | $250,000 | Report was first relayed to NWS from local newspaper, and later followed up with a storm survey. Extensive damage to one farm and feed yard. Several large outbuildings were destroyed, utility poles/fences were broken, a trailer was overturned and rolled. Farm implements were moved. At least two cows were put down due to injuries from the storm. |
| April 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $76,000 | Several irrigation systems were toppled, tree branches were snapped and shingles removed from homes across northern Dundy county. |
| June 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $50,000 | Thunderstorm winds estimated to 80 mph rolled a steel roof from building, downed branches 6-10 inches in diameter, destroyed a porch deck, broke windows at an auto dealership, and downed a 2 foot diameter tree. |
| May 1998 | Flash Flood | Benkelman | $50,000 | Around 5 inches of rain fell between 1800 and 2000 MST. Many homes had basements flooded with water and mud. Several cars were stalled. Roads were damaged. Waters started receding around 2100 MST, |
| May 2023 | Flash Flood | Benkelman | $30,000 | Emergency manager reported Highway 34 and 61 were both closed due to flash flooding. Highway 34 was closed from Benkelman to Trenton while highway 61 was closed from Benkelman to Enders. Up to 8 feet of water over the road was reported by Fire and Rescue. At least one car and driver were stranded in the water and a secondary road was completely washed out. The eastern portion of Dundy county remained largely under water for the following days. |
| May 2023 | Flood | Benkelman | $30,000 | Highway 61 remained closed until at least the evening of the 28th when water was still 3 or more feet deep over the road between Benkelman and Enders. Highway 34 between Benkelman and Trenton also remained closed due to flood waters of an unknown depth. Of the parts of the highways and other county road that were starting to be above water on the 28th, washouts and other damage were reported. |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $30,000 | A home lost about 20% of its roof, and five utility poles nearby were broken by a strong thunderstorm downburst. A patio fence was damaged and the last section of an irrigation pivot were blown over. |
| April 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $20,000 | Strong straight-line winds peeled back much of the shingles and tarpaper on the second story roof of a home in Benkelman. Elsewhere in town, an 18-wheeler trailer was blown over on its side. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $15,000 | Big tree limbs down. Tin roof off barn and blown 200 yards to the east. Occurred 2 miles south of Hwy 61/34 intersection. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $10,000 | Tree uprooted and fallen on a house in town. Health of tree, or other details are unknown. |
| August 1997 | Hail | Benkelman | $10,000 | Hail up to grapefruit size damaged vehicles, roofs, and siding and destroyed windows and windshields. The hail was accompanied by strong winds. At 1840 MST, 1.25 inch diameter hail was reported 16 miles north of Benkelman and winds broke 4 branches up to 3 inches in diameter. At 1841 MST winds estimated at 60 mph were reported 11 miles NNE Benkelman. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $9,000 | Emergency Manager reported at least 2 power poles leaning and 6 inch diameter tree limbs down due to the wind. Half of a locust tree was broken off in town with another uprooted. |
| July 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $8,000 | Six power poles were broke along highway 34 ENE of Benkelman. A house nearby had an outbuilding nearly blown over. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Benkelman | $3,500 | An HP supercell produced a 1 mile wide swath of large hail. Hail broke windshield and caused damage to hood and roof of vehicle. |
| July 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $3,000 | A healthy tree limb around six inches in diameter landed on top of a pickup truck. |
| July 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $2,000 | Wind toppled a carport and blew the metal top across the road. |
| August 1997 | Tornado (F1) | Benkelman | $2,000 | Weak tornado moving south southeast blew out windows and tore down tree branches. One inch hail was observed 2 miles east of tornado. |
| July 2013 | Hail | Benkelman | $1,500 | Hail broke windows on south side of home. Largest hail was quarter size but a lot of smaller hail noted which covered the ground and drifted. |
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $1,000 | A member of the public reported power lines down in the city of Benkelman. |
| August 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $1,000 | Thunderstorm winds collapsed the walls of an old shed. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | $500 | Emergency Manager reported a 5 inch diameter tree limb blown down. |
| May 2025 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Trained spotters reported ping pong ball to 2 inch hail in Benkelman. |
| July 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Site Black Tub Ranch measured 60 mph wind gust. |
| August 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Ambient weather station named Home recorded the wind gust on the west side of Benkelman. |
| June 2024 | Flood | Benkelman | - | Deputy reports of a flooded road at Road 705 and Avenue 340.The intersection was reported to be impassable. |
| August 2023 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Report received of penny sized hail at location. |
| May 2023 | Hail | Benkelman | - | The hail ranged from dime to nickel in size. |
| June 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | EM reported extensive wind damage. About 45 power poles were snapped, pivots are overturned, and grain bins were damaged. Most of the poles were broken around Highway 61. |
| August 2023 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Report received of one-inch diameter hail at location. |
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Weather Underground mesonet station KNEBENKE3 at the Dundy County Stratton High School recorded multiple wind gusts ranging from 58 to 63 mph over a ten minute duration. |
| August 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Report received of several large tree branches at least 2 inches in diameter blown down by a thunderstorm wind gust near location. At least 5 windows were also reported to be broken in vehicles by gravel blown by the wind gust. Wind speed estimated based on wind damage. |
| May 2021 | Tornado (EFU) | Benkelman | - | Trusted newspaper writer and trained spotter reported brief tornado touchdown north of Benkelman. Locations confirmed by radar imagery. No damage reported and tornado did not last long before the EF-0 began 3 minutes later. There was a distinct break in the track between this one and the following EF-0. |
| May 2021 | Tornado (EF0) | Benkelman | - | A brief tornado occurred 5 miles north of Benkelman. Damage consisted of some metal roofing panels, a shed was thrown 200 yards, and fencing was damaged. The tornado crossed Highway 61 and ended on the west side of the highway. There was a distinct break in the tracks between this tornado and the EF-2 that began a few minutes later. |
| May 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Public report received of thunderstorm winds causing the following damage at this location: 8 ft wooden fence panels were picked up and thrown across the yard, a tall yard lamp was knocked off its foundation, and patio furniture was pushed over. Estimated wind gust speed based on storm damage. |
| August 2020 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Dundy County Assistant Emergency Manager reported various sized hail from nickel to tennis ball in size fell for a duration of ten minutes. |
| July 2020 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Hail from penny to quarter sized fell for a minimum duration of 3 minutes at the location. |
| July 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Multiple reports received from Dundy County dispatch and the public for estimated wind gusts of 60 mph associated with a strong thunderstorm. |
| May 2019 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Public reported via Facebook hail up to 2 inches in diameter 1 mile SE of Benkelman. Report included a picture with several hail stones larger than a golf ball. |
| May 2019 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Public reported via Facebook hail in downtown Benkelman, NE, up to just larger than dime size, with several stones around pea size. |
| May 2019 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Trained spotter reported half dollar size hail in Benkelman. |
| May 2019 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Golf ball size hail reported at Benkleman golf course. |
| May 2019 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Pea to nickle sized hail in downtown Benkleman. |
| June 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Wind gust estimated by sheriff deputy. |
| May 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | The gust occurred as a thunderstorm moved over town. |
| August 2017 | Hail | Benkelman | - | The hail stones ranged from golf ball to nearly tennis ball in size. The hail was covering the ground from the east edge of town to two miles east. The hail measured 2.25 in diameter. |
| July 2017 | Hail | Benkelman | - | The hail ranged from quarter to half dollar in size. |
| May 2016 | Hail | Benkelman | - | The hail stones ranged from quarter to half dollar in size. |
| May 2015 | Flash Flood | Benkelman | - | The fairgrounds area iin Benkelman received flash flooding. Water was up to the running boards on pickup trucks and over many roads as well. |
| May 2015 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Hail started out as golf ball in size then grew to baseball and finally softball size. |
| May 2015 | Flash Flood | Benkelman | - | With an estimated four inches of rainfall occurring, six inches or more of water was reported to be over the road near the fairgrounds on the south side of Benkelman. |
| June 2015 | Flash Flood | Benkelman | - | Law Enforcement had to close old Highway 34 on the northeast side of Benkelman due to water running over the road making it impassable. |
| June 2015 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Mostly pea size hail fell. |
| August 2014 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Heavy rain, frequent lightning and gusty winds were also reported from social media. |
| July 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Wind gusts of 58 to 66 mph lasted about four minutes. |
| August 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Peak winds were estimated at 60 mph. |
| June 2014 | Hail | Benkelman | - | A large amount of golf ball size hail was reported. |
| June 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Live 2-3 inch diameter tree branches were blown down by thunderstorm winds. |
| June 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Benkelman | - | Wheat fields damaged by storm. |
| June 2008 | Hail | Benkelman | - | Storm spotter reported hail covered the ground. |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Benkelman | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q963128 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 827319. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.