From the October 21, 1982 edition of The Wayne Herald
An unwelcome surprise
With Halloween less than two weeks away, Mother Nature played a trick on Northeast Nebraska Tuesday that won't be forgotten.
What started out as a rainstorm, turned to sleet and then to heavy snow as this part of the state was hit by its first major snowstorm.
Temperatures into the 40's and plenty of sunshine on Wednesday melted away the remains of the snow, but the snow left its mark.
The early storm may have caused more damage than any storm will throughout the upcoming winter season. Thousands of acres of ripe soybeans were smothered and buried by the wet, heavy snow. Bean fields which survived the spring's wicked rain and hail storms were now wiped out. Corn also suffered extensive damage in some areas where ears were knocked to the ground.
Tree damage was tremendous. Leaves had not yet been shed by most trees and the wet snow burdened the limbs until they succumbed and cracked. Across the community of Wayne, branches of all sizes were scattered across the yards of nearly every home.
There were also the usual problems which come with snowstorms. Families ate by candlelight as the storm knocked out power lines and forced blackouts. Ditches along slippery country roads were marked with cars which has slid off.
It was not a pleasant preview of what may be ahead.
