Animal organizations across the Omaha area are stepping up. Veterinary clinics and rescue groups are offering free exams and short-term care.
“We had families drop stuff off. A little girl emptied her piggy bank to fund supplies for the disaster,” said Pam Wiese from Nebraska Humane Society. “People are just lovely.”
Full story here:
— Marjie Ducey
Gov. Jim Pillen gives an updates after tornadoes
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen gave an update on Saturday after multiple tornadoes ravaged the state on Friday.
National Weather Service lowers severe weather risk for Omaha
At 4:37 p.m., the National Weather Service lowered the risk for severe weather in Omaha.
Here's their severe weather graph:
Thanks to rain-cooled are from storms in Kansas, our severe threat continues to diminish and shift south. However, areas south of I-80 should still be on guard for potential strong to severe thunderstorms moving in from the southwest late this evening and tonight! pic.twitter.com/SkSRchijjO
Debris is spread all over Jared and Tory Crozier's property as friends, family and coworkers help clean up the damage after a tornado ripped through Minden, Iowa on Friday evening.
— Anna Reed
Washington County cleanup information
People who are volunteering with cleanup efforts in damaged areas of Washington County are the only ones permitted to go into those areas, the county’s emergency management agency said Saturday. All others should steer clear of those areas so as to not delay or hinder cleanup efforts.
Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, people can drop off damaged trees at the following locations:
On the north side of Blair Municipal Airport at the intersection of county roads 38 and 35.
Near the recycling center at Third and Grant Streets in Blair.
The tree drop-off area in Fort Calhoun at county roads 34 and 47.
Individuals who need assistance or wish to volunteer can contact the Red Cross, local churches in the county or other affiliated organizations. They can also call the Nebraska State Help Line at *211.
Update from Omaha police department
The Omaha Police Department gave the following updates on its X, formerly Twitter, account.
Everyone who sustained injuries in yesterday's storms have been treated and released.
Do not go into affected areas unless you are a resident.
The tornado did not hit Eppley Airfield's terminal. There was property damage, but not to the main buildings. The airport is open for business now.
Well over 150 homes and structures were damaged in Douglas County
National Weather Service's preliminary findings are that were two tornadoes in the event
You can view the thread here:
A joint press conference will be held with state and local government officials today at the @DCSheriffNE, 3601 N 156th Street, at 3pm to update the public on yesterday’s events and on how our community moves forward.
1/2 pic.twitter.com/SmyPcw7pdD
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for parts of southeast Nebraska.
Towns affected include: Falls City, Verdon, Salem, Rulo and Barada.
The warning is in effect until 6:30 p.m.
Volunteers at Blair church handling 'managed chaos' of donations
As soon as bottles of water make it through the doors of First Lutheran Church-ELCA in Blair, they get shipped right out to disaster sites.
Volunteers have been capably handing the “managed chaos,” as Erika Cada, the church’s director children’s and youth ministries, described it.
Since opening the church doors after Friday’s tornadoes, the church has received hundreds of donations for those affected by the tornadoes and the volunteers who are assisting in cleanup and recovery efforts.
Cada said the church has also set up a garage sale-type of environment where people can freely pick up whatever they need including clothing, dishes, baby and hygiene items.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa has declared a state of emergency as the county reported storm damage to an estimated 120 homes and businesses as of Saturday morning.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Pottawattamie County and Minden, Iowa has declared its own state of emergency.
As of Saturday morning, four storm-related injuries had been reported from Pottawattamie County, including three individuals who were treated and released and one person who remained hospitalized in stable condition, according to a press release from the county.
The most concentrated damage occurred in Minden, the release said. Western portions of Council Bluffs and areas northeast of Crescent, east of McClelland and southwest of Treynor were also affected.
— Luna Stephens
Blair area man recalls first seeing tornado damage to house
“As quick as it came, it went. I figured, ‘Well, it should be all right,’" Dan Lehan, who lives south of Blair, said. “I opened the door and saw I had no roof.”
“As quick as it came, it went. I figured, ‘Well, it should be all right,’" Dan Lehan, who lives south of Blair, said. “I opened the door and saw I had no roof.”
— Dan Crisler
OPPD says approximately 4,100 with out power
As of Saturday afternoon, approximately 4,100 households were without power in Douglas and Washington Counties, according to the Omaha Public Power District’s outage map.
OPPD said it is working as quickly as possible to restore power to those still affected, but the process is complicated by the complexity of the remaining work and challenged created by the storms.
A crew of 22 people from the Nebraska Public Power District was headed to the Omaha area Saturday to help restore power to OPPD customers.
OPPD also issued a reminder that those who come across a downed power line should assume it’s live and extremely dangerous and stay far back.
Call 911 or OPPD at 1-800-554-6773 to report downed lines.
— Luna Stephens
Want to help? Here's how you can
Douglas County tweeted out that while they are not overseeing volunteer operations, adults can reach out to the Omaha Rapid Response on Facebook to see what is needed.
Want to donate? Funds have been set up through the Omaha Community Foundation at omahafoundation.org and United Way at 2-1-1 or here.
The National Weather Service tweeted this in regards to tonight's weather:
Here's a look at what radar might look like in your area. Bottom line: stay weather aware with multiple rounds of showers and storms. Flooding and severe weather are still possible today, with the strongest storms expected in southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. pic.twitter.com/MDsgys456z
Officials say don't drive around to look at damage
Douglas County Sherriff Aaron Hanson said via Twitter, "Folks, please don't drive around impacted areas to look at storm damage for mere entertainment."
The tweet goes on to say it is causing traffic jams and could slow emergency response as "people do get hurt during cleanup efforts."
⚠️Message from Sheriff Aaron Hanson⚠️:
🙏”Folks, please do not drive around impacted areas to look at storm damage for mere entertainment.
🚗🚦🚙This is causing traffic jams, especially in hard-hit neighborhoods and could slow emergency response if needed.
Information for drop-off at Pheasant Point Landfill
Douglas County Emergency Management Agency released information for dropping off debris at the Pheasant Point Landfill, located at 13505 N. 216th Street in Bennington.
Saturday hours are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Green debris limbs must be cut into pieces 4 feet or smaller
Debris can be mixed, no need to separate
Appliances and hazardous materials are not accepted
Paul Johnson, director of the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency, said homeowners should contact insurance companies immediately regarding property damage and planned clean up efforts.
Residents should also file a report with Douglas County by calling 2-1-1 or online at dogis.org/211.
— Josie Whelan
Eppley tornado destroys four hangers
The tornado that touched down late Friday afternoon at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield destroyed four hangars.
The Omaha Airport Authority said in a press release no one was injured. The four hangars located on the airfield’s east side housed 32 private aircraft used for general aviation. The tornado also damaged some other buildings in that area.
Although the airport was closed for almost one hour on Friday, the tornado did not damage the passenger terminal. Nor did the tornado damage any of the construction around the terminal. Commercial flights are operating as normal.
Access to the airport’s general aviation area is currently restricted to permit recovery and cleanup operations. Airport Authority officials are working with individual tenants and aircraft operators.
— Dan Crisler
More on Elkhorn destruction
Sycamore Farms, where Junkstock is held twice a year, was damaged across West Dodge before the tornado crossed the Elkhorn River.
Owner Jon Alexander said they are "tentatively" planning on holding Junkstock next week.
"We're feeling very good and lucky," Alexander said.
Cleanup on the farm began yesterday with neighbors pitching in. The Douglas County West baseball team also plans to help today.