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Hastings, Nebraska

14 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1898 and the latest in 1985. It stands in Hastings City. It lies in ZIP code area 68901. The Survey maps it on the Hastings West quadrangle. 25,152 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,926 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Hastings within Adams County

On record in Hastings

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 12 of 19 shown

Every listing in Adams County

Population over time

2 figures

Hastings grew from 24,907 to 25,152 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.

YearPeople Change
201024,907
202025,152+245 (+1%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 surveys from 14 printed sheets

Matched 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.

In the county-history sources

6,040 words on this township

Past and Present of Adams County, Nebraska, published 1916 names this settlement in its chapter on Hastings City. These are the passages that mention it, exactly as the scans read.

Tlie location of a settlement upon the land on which the City of Hastings stands was due to the oiJeration of American hnmigration agencies in Great Britain. These agencies, through the means of advertisements inserted in the British newspapers and through personal interviews with prosjDective colonists, set forth in glowing terms the inducements offered in the middle western section and other parts of the United States not already jjopidated.

Passage source: Past and Present of Adams County, Nebraska, published 1916.

There assembled in Liverpool one day a little company of colonists bound for America, who eventually settled in Hastings, Xeb. They embarked upon passenger vessel Scandinavia of the Allan Line, and in due time arrived in Portland, INIe. From Portland they continued Avestward, as directed by the immigration agents, until they reached Lincoln. Here they bought horses and wagons, a few simple agricultural implements and provisions and continued their journey overland. In the spring of 1871. in either April or JMay, this little company halted at Thirty-Two Mile Creek.

Passage source: Past and Present of Adams County, Nebraska, published 1916.

The greater number of these British inmiigrants took homesteads in the vicinity of Hastings, the land upon which jNIicklen settled afterward becoming the site of the original to^ni. INIicklen's homestead is described as the west half of the southeast quarter of section 12, townsliip 7. range 10. The boundaries of the original town are as fol- GO

Passage source: Past and Present of Adams County, Nebraska, published 1916.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Hastings City - it names this place 23 more 23 times.

Fires near this place

15 since 2009

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 15 fires within 5 miles of Hastings between 2009 and 2020, burning about 20 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 burning7
Missing data/not specified/undetermined5
Equipment and vehicle use3

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
2 September 2020Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresNebraska Forest Servicenot named
21 July 2020Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreNebraska Forest Servicenot named
25 June 2020Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreNebraska Forest Servicenot named
23 June 2020Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreNebraska Forest Servicenot named
3 May 2013Debris and open burning6.0 acresNebraska Forest Servicenot named
23 May 2020Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreNebraska Forest Servicenot named
6 April 2020Debris and open burning3.5 acresNebraska Forest Servicenot named
29 April 2013Equipment and vehicle useunder an acreNebraska Forest Servicenot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Adams County

Storms near this place

60 of 211 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Hastings in 211 storm reports between 1993 and 2024: 124 hail, 65 thunderstorm wind, 6 funnel cloud, 4 heavy rain. The reports record 2 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.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2019LightningHastings2 hurt, $19,000,000Investigators with the Nebraska State Fire Marshals Office determined that lightning was the cause of a very large fire that completely destroyed the Cooperative Producers Inc. Dry Fertilizer Facility. This facility opened in July 2018, and was located just east of the intersection of Highway 6 and Showboat Road. Hastings Rural Fire District, along with firefighters from 4 other fire districts, helped contain the fire. The fire was contained by 3 AM CDT, but firefighters were on scene to address hotspots well into Friday. Two injuries were reported as a result of the fire, both injured parties were treated and released at a local hospital within hours of the fire. The injured parties were semi drivers on site at the time of the fire. Damage is estimated to be at least $5 million worth of product at the plant with a facility cost of $14 million.
May 2005HailHastings$40,000,000A super cell thunderstorm pummeled the Hastings area with baseball size hail, torrential rain and strong winds. The hail was as large as baseballs, and was reported anywhere from about 10 miles south of Hastings to 5 miles north of Hastings. Damage was widespread throughout the central part of the county.
June 2022HailHastings$12,000,000There were several reports of hail ranging in size from golf balls to 2.5 inches in diameter all across the city of Hastings. This hail was accompanied by wind gusts exceeding 60 MPH, including a peak measured gust of 66 MPH at the Hastings Airport ASOS. Reports of damage across town included broken windows, siding damage, downed tree limbs, and power outages.
May 2018HailHastings$5,000,000Half dollar to golf ball size hail was reported.
May 2012HailHastings$1,000,000no account filed
May 2012HailHastings$750,000Hail to the size of softballs was reported on the north side of town.
December 2021HailHastings$500,000Wind-driven hail up to quarter size caused siding, fence, and roof damage.
May 2014HailHastings$250,000Quarter to hen egg size hail was reported.
May 2012HailHastings$250,000Golf ball size hail reported at Lake Hastings.
May 2012HailHastings$250,000Golf ball size hail was reported at the intersection of 14th and California.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindHastings$250,000Winds of 60 to 70 mph battered the Hastings area for about 10 minutes. There were many reports of tree and minor structural damage.
May 2003HailHastings$250,000no account filed
July 2002Thunderstorm WindHastings$250,000no account filed
May 2012HailHastings$200,000Hail measured at the NWS office.
August 1999Thunderstorm WindHastings$200,000no account filed
June 2016Thunderstorm WindHastings$150,000A 30 foot tall, 10 inch diameter tree was blown down on the far east side of Hastings. Also, a flag pole was blown down.
August 2007Flash FloodHastings$150,000Flash flooding throughout the eastern half of the county. Numerous county roads covered with water. Many streets in Hastings had 1 to 2 feet of water and the Burlington Street underpass was closed due to high water.
August 2019FloodHastings$125,000The West Fork of the Big Blue River flooded, causing Showboat Road to be closed for a brief period of time. A 24-hour rainfall total of 4.02 inches was reported from 5 miles north-northeast of Juniata.
June 2015Flash FloodHastings$125,000Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall totaled generally 4-7 across primarily northern Adams County between the 3rd-6th, with the majority of this rain falling on the 4th-5th. Road flooding was initially reported across parts of the county on the evening of the 4th. On the morning of the 5th, the Adams County Department of Roads reported that many roads (paved and gravel) were closed due to severe flooding, especially within the northeast quadrant of the county. Just as one example of these road closures, paved Showboat Road from 12th Street to 26th Street was barricaded on the east side of Hastings for several hours on the 5th. The flooding situation gradually improved over the following 24 hours.
June 2015FloodHastings$125,000Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall totaled generally 4-7 across primarily northern Adams County between the 3rd-6th, with the majority of this rain falling on the 4th-5th. Road flooding was initially reported across parts of the county on the evening of the 4th. On the morning of the 5th, the Adams County Department of Roads reported that many roads (paved and gravel) were closed due to severe flooding, especially within the northeast quadrant of the county. Just as one example of these road closures, paved Showboat Road from 12th Street to 26th Street was barricaded on the east side of Hastings for several hours on the 5th. The flooding situation gradually improved over the following 24 hours.
May 2013HailHastings$125,000Nickel to ping pong ball size hail was reported on the west side of Hastings.
July 2024Tornado (EF0)Hastings$100,000A multi-vortex tornado, confirmed by storm chaser video, touched down in a corn field just north of the highway rest stop along Highway 6 east of Hastings. The tornado produced intermittent tree damage as it drifted south over the rest stop area and near a residence. A new condensation funnel developed over a nearby corn field where a pivot was overturned. The tornado actually curved back to the north, back across the highway, then dissipated shortly thereafter in a corn field. The official track is a best estimate based on a combination of damage and storm chaser video. The peak wind gust was estimated to be 85 MPH.
October 2014HailHastings$100,000The one inch diameter hail occurred along with thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 50 mph.
October 2014HailHastings$100,000One inch diameter hail was occurring, with damage to siding occurring. Wind gusts of 55 mph were measured a bit earlier at 848 pm CDT at the Hastings Airport, which likely contributed to the damage to siding. This report was received from Facebook.
October 2014HailHastings$100,000This report was received from Facebook.
June 2014HailHastings$100,000Hail ranged in size from golf ball to baseball.
September 2015HailHastings$100,000no account filed
May 2006Thunderstorm WindHastings$100,000no account filed
August 2014Thunderstorm WindHastings$75,000Wind gusts were estimated to be between 60 and 80 MPH.
July 2014HailHastings$75,000no account filed
May 2014HailHastings$75,000no account filed
August 2007Thunderstorm WindHastings$75,000no account filed
May 2019FloodHastings$50,000Heavy rainfall across the area resulted in the flooding of the West Fork of the Big Blue River in eastern Adams County. Portions of Showboat Road near the river, which runs along the east edge of Hastings, was covered in several inches of water.
May 2014HailHastings$50,000Quarter to half dollar size hail was reported.
July 2008Flash FloodHastings$50,000All lanes of 82nd Street and Highway 281 were covered by water. Three feet of water was reported over Blaine Street from 12th to 26th Street. Two feet of water was reported at the intersection of 26th Street and Showboat Road. The Big Blue River and Turtle Creek were both out of their banks. Over a dozen county roads were flooded with several roads washed out.
July 2003Thunderstorm WindHastings$50,000no account filed
May 2002HailHastings$50,000no account filed
June 1997Thunderstorm WindHastings$50,000no account filed
June 1997HailHastings$50,000no account filed
April 2001Thunderstorm WindHastings$40,000no account filed
April 2001Strong WindHastings$40,000no account filed
May 2017Thunderstorm WindHastings$35,000Wind gusts were estimated to be near 60 MPH. There were a few tree limbs downed in town, and to the south-southeast of town an irrigation pivot was overturned.
May 2002HailHastings$30,000no account filed
June 2000HailHastings$30,000no account filed
June 1997HailHastings$30,000no account filed
June 2014HailHastings$25,000One oblong stone measured near softball size. The entire spectrum of hail sizes occurred, with the average size of the largest hailstones being 2.5 inches. Pea size hail started falling around 9:25 p.m. CDT.
September 2015HailHastings$25,000no account filed
September 2015HailHastings$25,000no account filed
September 2015HailHastings$25,000no account filed
May 2013HailHastings$25,000no account filed
May 2013HailHastings$25,000no account filed
April 2006Thunderstorm WindHastings$25,000no account filed
April 2006Thunderstorm WindHastings$25,000no account filed
May 2005HailHastings$25,000no account filed
May 2005HailHastings$25,000no account filed
August 2005Thunderstorm WindHastings$25,000no account filed
July 2003Thunderstorm WindHastings$25,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindHastings$25,000no account filed
August 2007Tornado (EF0)Hastings$20,000A brief tornado began on the east side of Hastings and traveled to the southeast for 1 to 2 miles. Damage was minimal and winds were estimated at 75 mph. The tornado was rated an EF0.
July 1997HailHastings$20,000no account filed

Every storm recorded in Adams County

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 PlaceDistance Sheets
Countryside Parks0.0 miles14
Good Samaritan Village1.2 miles13
Kingswood Plaza1.5 miles13
Ingleside3.0 miles14
Blaine3.4 miles13
Halloran4.9 miles13
Level5.6 miles13
Muriel5.6 miles13

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 HastingsAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q959512The 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 829848. 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.