BlockElm Creek, Nebraska
16 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1896 and the latest in 1985. It stands in Precinct 25. It lies in ZIP code area 68836. The Survey maps it on the Elm Creek East quadrangle. 979 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 2,267 feet above sea level.
Population over time
2 figuresElm Creek grew from 901 to 979 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 | 901 | |
| 2020 | 979 | +78 (+9%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
6 surveys from 16 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.
- 1896 USGS Kearney quadrangle1:125000, 7 printings
- 1955 USGS Grand Island quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1957 USGS Grand Island quadrangle1:250000
- 1958 USGS Grand Island quadrangle1:250000
- 1962 USGS Elm Creek East quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1985 USGS Kearney quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Fires near this place
3 since 2004Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 3 fires within 5 miles of Elm Creek between 2004 and 2010, burning about 2 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 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 September 2010 | Debris and open burning | 1.0 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 14 September 2010 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 9 November 2004 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1.0 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
Mines and quarries near this place
1 within 5 milesRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1 working within 5 miles of Elm Creek: 1 producer. All of them still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elm Creek Pit | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Storms near this place
60 of 64 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Elm Creek in 64 storm reports between 1996 and 2024: 33 hail, 15 thunderstorm wind, 5 flood, 4 tornado. The reports record 6 injuries. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | 5 hurt, $2,400,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Tornado (EF2) | Elm Creek | 1 hurt, $750,000 | While the tornado south of Elm Creek was in the process of dissipating, a second tornado formed approximately 1 mile west of Elm Creek. This multi-vortex tornado moved east into town, and caused widespread damage, before making a sharp turn to the north and dissipating approximately 4 miles north of Elm Creek. Much of the damage occurred to trees, however several homes received damage, including major roof damage to homes in both the north and south parts of Elm Creek. Outbuildings were also destroyed in the northwest part of town. One non-life threatening injury occurred to a man whose semi-truck was tipped on its side by the tornado. The maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 120 MPH. |
| July 2019 | Flash Flood | Elm Creek | $25,000,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Tornado (EF3) | Elm Creek | $6,000,000 | After producing tornadoes in the Elm Creek area, this supercell thunderstorm continued on a northward path and produced what would be the strongest and one of two EF3 tornadoes of the day. This tornado touched down approximately 5 miles southwest of Amherst, curving to the north-northeast and missing the town by around 2 miles, before dissipating approximately 4 miles north of Amherst. Soon after the tornado touched down, a home suffered significant damage, and as the tornado crossed Highway 40, it intensified and produced a damage path at least 3/4 of a mile wide. The tornado knocked down large transmission lines along Highway 40, and overturned irrigation pivots. As it continued to the northeast, the tornado destroyed one home directly in its path, and no walls remained standing. Taking a turn more to the north, damage continued as outbuildings were destroyed and large metal truss towers were knocked down. Tree trunks were snapped and an irrigation pivot was knocked over approximately 4 miles north of Amherst. The emergency manager later noted that a total of 4 homes were destroyed, 6 to 8 had substantial damage, and 30 others suffered minor damage. Forty irrigation pivots were also either damaged or destroyed. The maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 160 MPH. |
| July 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | $5,000,000 | Wind gusts estimated to be as high as 80 MPH, tree damage, and power outages occurred along and near this path. The peak measured gust was 68 MPH, recorded at 10:38 PM CDT by a mesonet station located three miles east-southeast of Kearney. Other measured gusts included 66 MPH at 10:24 PM CDT by a mesonet located 2 miles north-northeast of Kearney, 65 MPH at 10:22 PM CDT by a mesonet located 1 mile north of Kearney, and 63 MPH at 10:25 PM CDT by the Kearney Regional Airport AWOS. Law enforcement and emergency management reported at least one semi-truck, other trailers and campers were blown over on Interstate 80 in the Elm Creek area, with zero visibility due to wind and blowing dust. In Elm Creek itself, multiple tree limbs were downed and roof damage was reported. An 18-foot trailer was rolled into the alley behind a home and their neighbor's garage roof was partially torn off and blown into their yard. In and around Kearney, numerous tree limbs were downed, with several trees snapped off at the base. One tree fell onto a home and vehicle, causing some siding and fencing damage. Emergency management reported power outages across town with several transformers blown and some fires due to downed power lines, as well as a few streets, including Highway 30, blocked due to downed tree limbs. The most notable damage report was from the south side of Kearney, where the movie theater suffered major roof damage. Once part of the roof was ripped off, heavy rain fell inside, causing further damage. The theater is not expected to reopen until Thanksgiving or Christmas. |
| June 2011 | Tornado (EF0) | Elm Creek | $250,000 | This tornado touched down in northern Phelps County, approximately 6 miles south-southwest of Elm Creek, and moved north into southern Buffalo County, dissipating just south of Elm Creek. This tornado lifted and touched back down several times along its path, with the main damage coming from overturned irrigation pivots. The maximum wind speed of this tornado was estimated to be 80 MPH. |
| June 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | $100,000 | An irrigation pivot was flipped by wind gusts estimated to be near 70 MPH. |
| May 2008 | Flash Flood | Elm Creek | $100,000 | Thunderstorms dropped 3 to 5 inches in this area. Several rural roads were flooded by this heavy rain. |
| May 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | $100,000 | no account filed |
| October 1998 | Tornado (F1) | Elm Creek | $80,000 | no account filed |
| July 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | $75,000 | Winds estimated at 80 mph caused damage near the town of Odessa. Reports included center pivots being tipped over, roof and garage damage to a home, widespread tree limbs down, and automobiles being blown off Interstate 80. Accompanying these winds was hail up to the size of quarters, which combined with the winds caused widespread minor to significant crop damage across the area. |
| August 2021 | Hail | Elm Creek | $50,000 | Hail up to quarter size caused some damage to vehicles, buildings, and crops. |
| July 2018 | Flood | Elm Creek | $50,000 | Heavy rain fell across portions of Dawson and Buffalo counties, and while ground-truth reports were mainly in the 3 to 5 inch range, radar estimation and an unofficial report exceeded 6 inches. Much of this water drained into the Elm Creek. The gauge, located just west of the town of Elm Creek, peaked just under 10 feet and remained above flood stage until the early evening of the 6th. At a stage of 9.5 feet, water covers County Road 56. A few other rural roads were affected. A home west of the creek near Highway 30 was affected by the excess water, and area culverts were full. |
| August 2014 | Hail | Elm Creek | $50,000 | Hail ranging in size from quarters to golf balls was reported. |
| June 2000 | Hail | Elm Creek | $40,000 | no account filed |
| September 2017 | Hail | Elm Creek | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 2015 | Flood | Elm Creek | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 2015 | Flood | Elm Creek | $25,000 | no account filed |
| October 2013 | Flood | Elm Creek | $25,000 | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Hail | Elm Creek | $25,000 | no account filed |
| May 2003 | Heavy Rain | Elm Creek | $25,000 | no account filed |
| August 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | $20,000 | no account filed |
| September 2013 | Flood | Elm Creek | $10,000 | no account filed |
| May 2008 | Hail | Elm Creek | $10,000 | no account filed |
| May 2008 | Hail | Elm Creek | $5,000 | no account filed |
| July 1996 | Hail | Elm Creek | $5,000 | no account filed |
| August 2002 | Heavy Rain | Elm Creek | $2,000 | no account filed |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | Wind gusts were estimated to be near 70 MPH. |
| July 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH. |
| July 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | A wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by a mesonet station located three miles northwest of Elm Creek. |
| July 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | Wind gusts estimated to be near 60 MPH resulted in tree damage. |
| September 2017 | Heavy Rain | Elm Creek | - | Rainfall amounts between 3.5 and 4 inches fell in Elm Creek, resulting in some minor street flooding in town. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | This wind gust was measured by a Nebraska Department of Roads mesonet site. |
| October 2011 | Heavy Rain | Elm Creek | - | Total rainfall over the past 24 hours of 3.00 inches was reported by a Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network observer. |
| July 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | Wind gusts estimated at 60 MPH. |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | Measured by a Nebraska Department of Roads sensor at the Interstate 80 interchange. |
| May 2024 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| July 2024 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2023 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2023 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| July 2023 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2022 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2019 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| April 2019 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| September 2017 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| October 2017 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| April 2014 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2012 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2012 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2012 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2012 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| June 2011 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| May 2005 | Hail | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
| June 2004 | Funnel Cloud | Elm Creek | - | no account filed |
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.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa | 6.2 miles | 16 | |
| Amherst | 6.4 miles | 16 | |
| Alfalfa Center | 10.4 miles | 18 | |
| Riverdale | 12.0 miles | 15 | |
| R-Villa Courts | 13.7 miles | 20 | |
| Miller | 14.4 miles | 15 | |
| Glenwood Park | 15.4 miles | 20 | |
| Kearney | 15.5 miles | 20 |
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 Elm Creek | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q3287897 | 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 829073. 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.
Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
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.