SATURDAY UPDATES: Power restoration efforts progressing in Omaha’s tornado-damaged areas (2024)

Authorities: Best way to figure out how you can help is to call 211

Published: Apr. 27, 2024 at 10:57 AM CDT

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Communities in West Omaha and western Iowa worked to push through the damage and heartache after severe weather raced through the area Friday, bringing heavy rain, large hail, strong winds, and several confirmed tornadoes.

Updates on information as we receive them:

8:50 p.m. -- OPPD reports that 75% of customers who lost power during Friday’s storms had been restored, leaving about 2,500 still without power at that time, down from about 3,800 at 8:30 p.m. By 9:20 p.m., it had reduced further to about 1,990, with outages concentrated in the Elkhorn and Bennington areas.

Those who were still without power were advised to report their outages via OPPD.com, through the OPPDConnect app; or by calling 1-800-554-OPPD (6773).

8:10 p.m. -- Thanking the public for its generosity, Douglas County Emergency Management advises they’re at capacity and no longer able to accept donations for the time being. Instead, they advised those wishing to assist tornado victims to call 211 and offer to help.

5 p.m. -- The 6 First Alert Weather team said no further severe weather was expected Saturday night.

4:52 p.m. -- The Salvation Army says it will open a Disaster Relief Center on Sunday. This is the first time this has happened since the 2019 flooding. The “free pop-up store” will be open in the Brite Ideas Decorating parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bottled water, nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items will be available free of charge. Those wanting to pick items up must show identification.

Donations will continue to be accepted on Sunday at the same location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The hours and dates may be extended; officials will advise if that becomes necessary.

4:30 p.m. -- Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson advises those living in affected areas with concerns of theft to call them at (402) 444-6700. DCSO will have extra personnel in the area.

4 p.m. -- The City of Omaha has established a special section on its website for emergency information related to the storm.

Gov. Jim Pillen joined Douglas County Emergency Management and other local and state officials to brief on the storm response. Details from the press conference are developing here.

As of 1:30 p.m., OPPD says power has been restored to about 60% of affected customers. There are still around 4,100 outages being reported as of 3:35 p.m. -- 3,246 in Douglas County and 842 in Washington County.

3:20 p.m. -- Washington County Emergency Management says county officials met today to discuss the tornado response. Sheriff Mike Robinson reminds residents that only those who are volunteering or assisting with cleanup should be in affected areas. All other members of the public are advised to stay away for now.

Beginning Sunday, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., tree debris can be disposed of at three locations: the north side of the Blair Municipal Airport near County Roads 38 and 35; in the City of Blair, at 3rd and Grant Streets near the recycling center; and in Fort Calhoun at the intersection of County Roads 34 and 47.

As a reminder, those needing assistance, reporting damage, or wishing to volunteer are asked to reach out to the Red Cross, local churches, or call 211.

2:33 p.m. -- OPPD reports that they had restored power to about 60% of customers experiencing at outage related to Friday’s storms, putting the total to about 4,100 still without power as of an hour earlier.

2:20 p.m. -- A TORNADO WARNING is in place for northern Richardson County until 2:45 p.m. This is north of Falls City and will affect mainly rural portions of the county.

A TORNADO WARNING remains in place until 2:45 p.m. for Holt County, Mo. A CONFIRMED TORNADO was seen on the ground over Wheaton, headed for Mound City and Oregon. Take shelter NOW!

2 p.m. -- Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s office says she will sign a disaster proclamation requesting state and federal aid. For those needing to drop off tree and limb debris, the north parking lot of Greenbrier Park at 209th and Park Drive is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice. Only tree and vegetation debris will be accepted.

1:45 p.m. -- A Tornado Watch is in place for the far southeastern fringe of the WOWT viewing area -- including Adams and Taylor Counties in Iowa; and Atchison, Holt and Nodaway Counties in Missouri.

Hy-Vee is offering bottled water and snacks for victims at its 156th and Maple location beginning at 2 p.m. Food and supplies will also be on hand.

1:35 p.m. -- Omaha Police warn to expect delays if you are headed into the affected areas in Elkhorn. West Maple Road is backed up between 204th and 220th Streets; the lights at 216th are not functioning. If you need to head west and want to avoid, use Dodge as an alternate route.

12:22 p.m. -- 6 News anchor Erin Sullivan is at St. Patrick’s in Elkhorn, where the Salvation Army is taking donations of bottled water and cleaning supplies and free meals are being handed out. A volunteer says many families are requesting gift cards and baby items.

Noon -- A Tornado Watch is in effect for Pawnee and Richardson Counties in Nebraska through 7 p.m. This includes Pawnee City and Falls City. A Flood Watch is in place for the Omaha and Lincoln metros through Sunday afternoon.

11 a.m. -- For victims and those needing meals, Javi’s Tacos is serving free meals in the parking lot of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 204th and West Maple in Elkhorn. Meals will be provided until food runs out.

10 a.m. -- Here’s the latest information from metro-area law enforcement agencies.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has arranged a website to describe property damage and report lost pets. Residents missing their pets are asked to utilize the Nebraska Humane Society and the Lost Pets of Omaha Area pages.

The City of Omaha advises the following:

The Omaha Fire Department has completed a search of damaged homes. No fatalities have been reported; there are “very few, minor injuries.” Common Ground Community Center on Veterans Drive in Elkhorn is open for those needing shelter. Debris drop-off is available at the Pheasant Point Landfill until 3 p.m. today. Green debris limbs must be in four-foot sections or smaller. Appliances and hazardous materials are NOT accepted.

Power restoration is still in progress; as of 10:45 a.m., just shy of 4,150 OPPD customers are without electricity. The majority of outages are concentrated in western Douglas County at around 3,200. A handful of outages remain in Sarpy County. Washington County has just under 900 customers in the dark. [OPPD POWER OUTAGE MAP]

On the Iowa side, MidAmerican Energy reports just over 1,200 customers out in its Council Bluffs service area. [MIDAMERICAN OUTAGE MAP]

Washington County residents between Highway 30/31 and Highway 75 from Blair south to the Douglas County line are under a curfew for the next two nights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Property owners will be allowed in, but you must show proof of residency.

Pottawattamie County has declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY, in tandem with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ disaster proclamation issued Friday. County officials report four storm-related injuries. Three people were treated and released; one remains hospitalized in stable condition.

The county estimates roughly 120 structures sustained some form of damage. The Red Cross set up two shelters that were not needed -- displaced residents were able to find places to stay overnight.

As for the City of Minden, utility service has been disrupted, and access to the city is CLOSED to outside traffic. A 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew is in place until further notice. Residents needing to get back into town will be able to do so beginning Saturday morning -- check in at the Minden United Church of Christ at 106 Lincoln Street. Only Minden residents are being allowed in. Volunteers are not needed at this time, but opportunities will be announced later.

As a reminder, damage reports should be directed to 211 or online. [NEBRASKA] [IOWA]

For those wanting to help with donations, the Salvation Army’s West Omaha donation center in the Brite Ideas Decorating parking lot at 156th and Blondo is open Saturday, accepting bottled water, Gatorade and cleaning supplies.

7 a.m. -- 6 News crews got a fresh look at the damage left behind in portions of Elkhorn.

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This is a developing story. Stay with 6 News for updates.

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