Omaha Tornado of 1975

Infobox tornado outbreak|name=Omaha Tornado of 1975
date=May 6-7, 1975
image location=


duration=~2 1/2 days
fujitascale=F4
tornadoes=36
total damages (USD)= unknown
total fatalities=3
areas affected= Central and Southern United States

The Omaha Tornado of 1975 is a violent tornado that hit the Omaha, Nebraska metropolitan area. It was part of a two-day outbreak that struck the Midwest and Southern United States on May 6-7, 1975, ending in the very early hours of May 8 across Louisiana. South Dakota, Iowa, Texas and Mississippi were also struck by several tornadoes. In total, 36 tornadoes touched down across 6 states. The outbreak killed three people, while injuring hundreds more.

Tornado event

During the early afternoon of May 6, 1975, a tornado watch was issued for much of eastern Nebraska. Initial tornado activity started in northeast Nebraska throughout the first half of the afternoon. At around 4:15 PM, a tornado warning was issued for the Omaha area and an F4 tornado touched down about 15 minutes later in Sarpy County, Nebraska. The storm then moved north-east, cutting into Douglas County crossing Interstate 80 (injuring several motorists) and through west-central sections of the city of Omaha. The tornado chopped a path across 10 miles of streets and residences, crossing the city's busiest intersection at 72nd & Dodge before lifting at 4:58 PM.

Three people were killed and 133 reported injured. One of the fatalities was thrown several feet by the tornado from her home to a backyard four or five houses away. [ [http://www.shayden.com/_Omaha5675/CindysStory.htm Omaha 5/6/75 ] ] Over 4,000 buildings were damaged and 287 were destroyed. In terms of damage, it was the costliest tornado in American history to that date, with insurance costs estimated at up to $1.1 billion (in 1975 dollars). It was the third costliest tornado, behind the Oklahoma City area F5 tornado on May 3, 1999 and the Wichita Falls, Texas tornadoes on April 10, 1979.

Tornado table

Confirmed tornadoes

May 6 event

May 7 event

ee also

*List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks

References

External links

* [http://www.omaha5675.org Web site regarding the Omaha Tornado of May 6, 1975]