Large hail stones fell in Odell Wednesday afternoon, June 17, 2009.

A tornado was spotted Wednesday afternoon on the ground near Odell, about 20 miles south of Beatrice, but it was hail that caused considerable crop and property damage in the area.

Gage County Emergency Management Director Mark Meints said spotters observed a tornado touch down near Odell, but it rose back into the sky before it caused any apparent damage. However, Meints said hail driven by 60 to 70 mile per hour winds damaged crops and vehicles along the Nebraska-Kansas border from near Chester, Nebraska to the Odell vicinity. He said there was also heavy rain and some flooding in the area.

The large hail broke windows on a fire engine in Odell, and also damaged a dozen or more vehicles.

A tornado watch is in effect until 9:00 p.m. for much of central and eastern Nebraska.

Check KOLNKGIN.COM for updates and watch 10/11 News for the latest information.