Omaha 5/6/75

Victims Tell Their Stories of the Event

I met Bill via email after searching for information on the tornado.

In searching for more information, I stumbled on his web site, http://www.gottschfamily.net/ because on the 10th Gerneration Page, it contained the following:

"Note: The Mau family home was destroyed in the May 6, 1975 tornado in Omaha."

Not only did Bill put me in touch with Cindy (Mau) Gottsch, but he included his recollection of the event.

Bill Gottsch was 30 years old at the time of the tornado.
(...I can remember my dad's words to this day, "Jesus Christ, I’m going to the basement,” then the phone went dead... )

Cindy's Story - Cindy's Pictures

I met Cindy via email after her Brother-In-Law, Bill Gottcsh, forwarded my email address to her. She has contributed a great deal of family photos from the event.

Cindy (Mau) Gottsch was in 8th grade at the time of the tornado.
(...She ran back yelling, ''GET DOWN, GIRLS! EVERYONE GET DOWN! THINGS ARE FLYING OUTSIDE!"... )

Dan's Story - Dan's Pictures - Dan's Movie

Cindy (Mau) Gottsch, contacted her old neighbor that still lives in the same house as he did when the tornado hit.

Dan Vogel lived two houses south of the Maus.
(...For thirty seconds, I could not see my hand in front of my face. It was that dark as the tornado passed... )

Harry's Story

Harry is my uncle and my inspiration for this site.

Harry Hayden was traveling on Western Avenue when he was caught in the tornado.
(...At one point, as I was flying through the air, I saw I was heading toward a chain-linked fence. I just knew I was going to be cut up in to little diamonds... )

Peggy's Story

Peggy contacted me via email. The house she lived in then, is the house where Diana lives now. Diana has provided me with the Omaha World Herald from May 7, 1975... which I will post when I get a chance. Still have a lot of scanning to do.
(...The anticipation of what was coming our way got the best of me, I stood up and looked through the trees in Peterson’s backyard and was stunned. The sky to me looked “blue-black” and I saw huge things whirling in the sky.... )