Key facts
- Alert
- Freeze Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Hastings NE
- Areas
- Phillips; Smith; Jewell; Rooks; Osborne; Mitchell; Valley; Greeley; Nance; Sherman; Howard; Merrick; Polk; Dawson; Buffalo; Hall; Hamilton; York; Gosper; Phelps; Kearney; Adams; Clay; Fillmore; Furnas; Harlan; Franklin; Webster; Nuckolls; Thayer
- In effect
- until 9:00 AM CDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27.”
NWS Hastings NE, Freeze Warning, 9:08 PM CDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
NWS Hastings NE, Freeze Warning, 9:08 PM CDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
NWS Hastings NE, Freeze Warning, 9:08 PM CDT Oct 16, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Cover them or bring potted plants indoors before dark.
Protect outdoor plumbing. Cover exposed pipes and faucets, and disconnect and drain garden hoses.
Bring pets indoors or give them a warm, sheltered place. Check on older neighbors who may have trouble staying warm.
If you must drive early Saturday, allow extra time. The warning stays in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
Context
FEMA records show past disaster declarations for several counties in this warning area. These include severe storms, flooding and winter storms, such as a severe winter storm declaration on May 21, 2025. Declarations cover whole counties and are not tied to freezes.
FEMA flood-insurance claims data shows one claim in one county in the area, in 1993. This count only covers insured homes and does not relate to freezing weather.
Updates
- The freeze warning expired at 9:00 AM CDT.
- NWS Hastings NE issued the freeze warning until 9:00 AM CDT.
History here
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4869 (2025): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires
- DR-4747 (2023): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
- DR-4654 (2022): severe winter storms and straight-line winds
- DR-4640 (2022): severe storms and straight line winds
- DR-4449 (2019): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding,landslides,and mudslides
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4869 (2025): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires
- DR-4640 (2022): severe storms and straight line winds
- DR-4449 (2019): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding,landslides,and mudslides
- DR-4112 (2013): snowstorm
- DR-4010 (2011): severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding
This county: 1 flood insurance claim in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1993, most recent 1993.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4869 (2025): severe winter storm, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires
- DR-4640 (2022): severe storms and straight line winds
- DR-4304 (2017): severe winter storm
- DR-4230 (2015): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding
- DR-4063 (2012): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding
Get these alerts on your iPhone
Herebeat is an iPhone app that shows official alerts like these (National Weather Service warnings, earthquakes, wildfires, air quality and more) for the places you save, each with its source and issue time. Download Herebeat on the App Store.
Questions
- Is there a freeze warning in central Nebraska?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Hastings issued a Freeze Warning for parts of central, east central and south central Nebraska, along with north central Kansas. It is in effect until 9:00 AM CDT Saturday.
- How cold will it get during this freeze warning?
- The National Weather Service says temperatures could drop as low as 27. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
- What should I do to protect my plants and pipes?
- The National Weather Service says to take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Frost and freezing could also damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, so cover or drain exposed pipes and hoses.
Sources
- NWS Hastings NE: Freeze Warning, Oct 16, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.