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Since incorporation in 1857,
Omahans have faced many emergency situations as a result of tornados,
blizzards. flooding and confined area threats. In addition, minor earthquakes
have been known to occur in the area. Since 1960, five U.S. presidents
have declared twelve major disasters (allowing for federal assistance)
in the State of Nebraska. Most of these emergencies have involved flooding
situations, however the tornado has proved the greatest single threat
to life and property in Omaha and vicinity.
THE
STATISTICS
A tornado has been defined as: "a violently rotating column of air,
pendant from a parent rotating thunder cloud, and nearly always visible
from the ground."1 The average damage inflicting tornado
leaves a path of destruction one-quarter mile wide and 10 miles long.
It may be on the ground only minutes or as long as one-half hour or more.
Tornado Incidence by States,
1953 to 1970: Mean Annual Tornados/10,000 square miles.
Total tornados occurring
in the United States between the years 1955 and 1967 based upon two degree
squares.
1 Ted T. Sokol,
Tornadoes; Their Characteristics and Their Effects on Buildings,
Omaha, 1975
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