BEATRICE, Neb. - Gusty conditions led to disruptions on Sixth Street in Beatrice after bricks and debris from the Dempster Building collapsed on to the roadway.

Around 10:45 a.m., Beatrice Police and Streets and Sanitation responded to the building on reports of debris scattered across the road. Beatrice street crews cleared debris and cleanup took about 30 minutes. BPD directed traffic which was limited to one lane. 

Sustained winds were blowing 25-30 MPH, with gusts in the 40 MPH range, Wednesday morning, as a High Wind warning remains in effect for Gage County until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. 

The Dempster building suffered a massive fire in March. The facility dates back to 1878 when Charles Dempster started the Dempster Mill Manufacturing company. It primarily built windmills until eventually shifting to water pumps, cultivators, fertilizer spreaders, gasoline products, and recycling trailer.