Recap: Tuesday's thunderstorms and flash floods in the Omaha metro area (2024)

Severe storms including damaging winds moved through Omaha and eastern Nebraska on Tuesday.

The morning's storms flooded roadways, stalled cars, caused power outages, as well as prompting warnings about tornados, hail and thunderstorms.

Looking toward a sunny, calmMemorial Day weekend

5:30 p.m.: After 18 hours or so of heavy rain Monday and Tuesday, eastern Nebraska and western Iowa will catch a break.

Heavy rain ranging from three inches to more than seven inches hit Omaha and the surrounding area hard. Van DeWald, a lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said the heavy rain fell in a 50-mile wide area north of Interstate 80.

A flood warning for the Omaha area is set to expire at 6 p.m, although DeWald said the warning could be extended through the evening.

“We’ll talk to the people that are in charge and see if there’s any flooding still ongoing,” he said. “Beyond that, there will be a handful of rivers that will be flooding over the next couple of days.”

With the storm system now having passed, dry conditions are expected to be in place until Thursday night as high temperatures are expected to hover around the high 70s and low 80s.

There is an 80% chance of rain in Omaha starting around midnight on Thursday leading into Friday, meteorologist Taylor Nicolaisen said. However, he said, the chances for severe weather that night are low at only about 5%. Any such rain showers are forecast to clear out quickly.

“It should be a quick hitter,” Nicolaisen said. “It’s probably going to be out of here by the time the sun comes up.”

That should lead into a mostly sunny and calm Memorial Day weekend with just a 35% chance of rain on Sunday. Even that, Nicolaisen said, isn’t likely to turn severe.

Omaha's Tranquility Park floods

5:25 p.m.: Many of Tranquility Park's grass soccer fields at 120th Street and West Maple Road were flooded from the Big Papillion Creek,

Floodwaters carry vehicles into Cole Creek

4:15 p.m.: Floodwaters appeared to carry some vehicles away near the Woodhouse Ford dealership in central Omaha.

Cars could be seen on both sides of 72nd Street between Bedford Avenue and Pratt Street.

Some vehicles, including a red Ford Explorer SUV, ended up in Cole Creek below 72nd Street. Although the Explorer had Woodhouse branding, it was not immediately clear if it came from the adjacent dealership.

Two cars were dislodged on the boulevard right by Aamco Transmissions across the street.

Debris carried by floodwater was piled several feet high against a pedestrian-protective fence along Pratt.

An Omaha public works employee was seen closing the sidewalk adjacent to the creek shortly after 2:30 p.m.

Even rescuers got flooded but still answered about 60 calls

4 p.m.: Even a firetruck got stuck during the thunderstorms that flooded several Omaha streets Tuesday.

An Omaha Fire Department ladder truck was stuck in the water near 49th and Hamilton Streets around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. The truck was en route to a fire call when it got stuck, Battalion Chief Coby Werner said in an email.

Another truck was dispatched to handle the call while the stuck firetruck was towed. Werner said the department was still trying to determine the extent of the damage, if any, the stuck firetruck endured.

It was a busy morning for firefighters.

During the duration of the storm— from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. — firefighters responded to more than 60 rescue calls, Werner said. Many of those calls were water rescues throughout Omaha. Those calls included people needing to be rescued from flooded basem*nts and vehicles stalled in water along with several fire calls.

The afternoon storm was less hectic. To the best of Werner’s knowledge, that storm did not result in any water rescue calls.

Center Street will close for 6 weeks after water main break

2:40 p.m.: All lanes of Center Street between 60th and 72nd Streets will be closed for the next six weeks because of a water main break, the Omaha Public Works Department said in a press release.

Metropolitan Utilities District crews have been working since this morning to repair the break, which occurred between 64th and 67th Streets – directly in front of Ak-Sar-Ben Village and Baxter Arena. A video posted by the utility on social media showed heavy equipment clearing mud and debris from the road.

"Crews are repairing a 24-inch transmission water main. The cause of the break remains under investigation, however preliminary information indicates it was related to the excess rainfall and flooding," MUD said in a news release Tuesday afternoon. "Water service was restored to customers, including Baxter Arena, by early afternoon."

At 1 p.m., Omaha Public Works also announced the closure of the intersection of South 88th and Frederick Streets until further notice.

Earlier in the day, Saddle Creek Road was closed between Farnam and Pacific Streets and West Maple Road was closed between 211th and 216th Streets, both due to flooding. Both have now been reopened.

Omaha metro in severe thunderstorm warning until 2 p.m.

1:20 p.m.: The National Weather Service in Valley has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Omaha, Papillion and Bellevue until 2 p.m.

The storm is forecast to have wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and produce half-dollar sized hail. Hail damage to vehicles and wind damage to roofs, siding and trees may occur.

The storm was first spotted at 1 p.m. 15 miles southwest of Gretna moving northeast at 50 miles per hour.

Shortly after 1:15 p.m., a tornado was indicated on radar and the weather service issued a tornado warning for areas including Syracuse, Nebraska City and Avoca. The warning was expected to last until 2 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is also in effect until 2:15 p.m. in Carter Lake, Council Bluffs and Underwood, Iowa, according to the National Weather Service in Valley.

Similar to the severe thunderstorm warning issued earlier for Omaha, the latest severe thunderstorm warning is expected to bring wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and hail up to the size of a half-dollar.

A lesson in cause and effect

1:15 p.m.: Ariana Nelson of Bellevue brought her two boys, Silas, 8, and Gideon, 11, to witness the Papillion Creek rushing over 36th Street in Bellevue Tuesday morning.

Nelson homeschools the boys.

"Anytime anything interesting happens around town, we like to go see it with our own two eyes, because the world is our school," Nelson said.

The flooding was a good lesson in cause and effect, and how weather can impact a city, she said.

The creek was running exceptionally high between Papillion and Bellevue from the heavy rains overnight. Quite a few people snapped pics and selfies. In some places, the creek nearly overtopped the levees meant to hold it back.

Trees and other debris, carried downstream in the torrent, piled up at the 36th Street bridge, creating a partial dam. The flood waters overran 36th Street, forcing its closure. A blue Chevy stood in the middle of the bridge, where it stalled and the driver abandoned it.

Silas said the flood is "scary but cool."

Tornado warning issued for Douglas County

The National Weather Service in Valley had issued a tornado warning for Douglas County. It expired at 1:15 p.m.

The weather service issues warnings when "atornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar."

Worries about wildlife

1:45 p.m.: Nebraska Wildlife Rehab said it's receiving a high volume of calls and messages as a result of the storms.

"Please bear with us as we work through them," the rescue group said on its Facebook page. "We'll get back to each of you as soon as possible."

NWR suggests that people in need of help with an animal check outnebraskawildliferehab.orgfor information.

Big Papillion Creek reaches highest level of the century

12:50 p.m.: The Big Papillion Creek at Fort Street reached its highest level of the century at 9:55 a.m., going more than three feet above flood stage.

The reading of 26.78 feet fell into the moderate flood stage category. It was higher than the 25.58 feet on March 13, 2019, and the flood stage of 23.5.

One Omaha graduation ceremony delayed by flooding, another may be

11:50 a.m. Tuesday’s flooding impacted graduation ceremonies for Omaha Public Schools seniors as a water main break near Baxter Arena interrupted power and water supply to the building, according to an email sent to families. As of 10:30 a.m., standing water also impacted many parking spaces.

Bryan High School’s ceremony was postponed until 2 p.m. on Friday. Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek, Byran High principal, said in an email to families that he understands the postponement will impact student plans and is a disappointment to many.

“Safety is our number one priority,” Clark-Kaczmarek said. “We continue to work with our partners to ensure we can safely celebrate our seniors' successes.”

District officials are still monitoring Central High School’s ceremony, which is scheduled for this evening.

“If power and water at the arena remain out and water does not recede, we will have to reschedule Central High’s ceremony for Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m.,” said Dionne Kirksey, Central High School principal, in an email to families. “We are carefully monitoring conditions and will communicate a final decision before 2:30 p.m. We care so incredibly much about our Central High Eagles.”

3:30 p.m. update:Central High’s graduation has been postponed to Friday at 7 p.m.

Omaha, Lincoln areas under tornado watch

11:42 p.m.: Another round of thunderstorms could roll through the Omaha metro area this afternoon and a tornado watch has been issued until 5 p.m.

Severe weather is possible anytime until around 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service website. Storms could bring large hail, damaging wind gusts and more flash floods. Tornadoes are possible along and east of the Missouri River, the weather service wrote.

Severe weather could crop up anywhere from eastern Nebraska to western Iowa.

The tornado watch covers Douglas County and many area counties including Sarpy, Washington, Dodge, Cass and Lancaster counties.

A flood watch also remains in effect for portions of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa until 7 p.m. The flood watch continues after areas north of Interstate 80 saw heavy rain overnight and this morning range from three to seven inches. The potential thunderstorms could hit many of those drenched areas, the weather service said.

Temporary closure of some zoo areas

Landfill closed, possible garbage collection delays

Unexpected water hazards on golf courses

10:45 a.m.: Golf courses in northwest Omaha, especially those along the Big Papillion Creek, had new water hazards.

Several holes on the second nine at the private Players Club were under water from the creek. At the municipal Knolls Golf Course, the creek was out of its banks, rushing fast, and spilling across much of the front nine.

At the private Champions Club, the large lake on the back nine flooded several holes.

Cole Creek, which cuts through Benson Park and the western side of the Benson neighborhood before joining the Little Papillion Creek near 78th and Dodge, was out of its banks. On 72nd Street near Bedford Avenue, water was several feet deep over the road during rush hour. The creek was responsible for the last flood-related death inside Omaha. In August 1999, during a similar overnight deluge, an elderly man was killed when a basem*nt wall in his house across from Benson Park collapsed on him.

Have extra towels? Dehumidifiers?

Westside middle school has no power, dismissing students

10:30 a.m.: The Westside district is closing its middle school because it’s unable to restore power. Students were welcomed into Westside Middle School, located at 8601 Arbor St., after a two-hour late start because administrators thought the power would be restored quickly, said Elizabeth Power, district spokeswoman.

The building, however, was still having issues with power, so students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

MUD: Water pressure returning

10 a.m.: MUD was starting to see water pressure come back up in many areas. Crews were working to repair a water main break near 67th and Center Streets that was impacting some areas. Crews and customers helped isolate the water system issues, a MUD spokeswoman said.

Photo: 90th and West Center this morning

​A photo of 90th Street and West Center Road taken by Westside Superintendent Mike Lucas when he was assessing flooding around the district.

Road to elementary school flooded, basem*nts underwater

10:05 a.m.: Ralston Public Schools had to cancel school for Karen Western Elementary, located at 6224 H Street, because of flooding surrounding the building, said Superintendent Jason Buckingham.

He and other district staff made the call after visiting the building this morning. They found that the road leading to the school was under 8 to 12 inches of water, plus Papillion Creek, which runs behind the building, was at an extremely high level.

“The (water level) was at a point where it was just about over the top of levee,” Buckingham said. “We looked at that and we looked at the risk of more water coming in from the north and made a decision that we needed to cancel school today just out of a safety issue.”

Parents were notified by phone and email at 7:40 a.m., but some had already made it to the school, Buckingham said. Teachers were stationed at the intersection by the school to tell parents who didn’t see the communication that the elementary was closed.

Buckingham said surrounding homes are also experiencing flooded basem*nts, but Karen Western sits on higher ground and hadn't been impacted yet.

“The other concern we have is a second round of rain forecast today, so I'm not real sure where all that's going to go if we get quite a bit of rain,” Buckingham said. “Their last day of school is tomorrow. We want to make sure we get them all back in.”

Papio-Missouri River area creeksswelled but levees did not breach

10 a.m.: The heavy rainfall, with up to 7 inches falling in parts of Washington County, swelled creeks but did not overtop or breach levees, said John Winkler, general manager of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.

The Papio Creek was out of its banks near Kennard, where there are few levees, and causing some flooding in low areas, he said.

At one time, water rose to within 3 to 4 feet from the top of the levee on the Big Papio at Q Street. And a low bridge at 36th Street and Nebraska Highway 370, a common trouble spot during significant storms, was closed due to flooding.

“The good news is levels are starting to come down now,” Winkler said.

The bad news, however, is that there isn’t a lot of room for another round of rain on saturated soils with creeks already high.

Meanwhile, reservoirs in the basin are doing their jobs and holding back water. Some are expected to rise 4 or 5 feet overnight. “If that was in the system, we’d be having a different conversation,” Winkler said.

The NRD is working with the weather service to monitor forecasts. Crews also are monitoring levees and reservoirs.

“We’re doing everything we do,” he said.

Otherwise, there have been no significant impacts. Some trails along the Papio were under water. Douglas County sheriff’s deputies rescued a man who had been camping under a bridge along one trail. Cole Creek reportedly was out of its banks, but Winkler said he wasn’t sure exactly where.

Westside schools had a late start after wet floors, loss of power

9:25 a.m.: Westside Community Schools called a two-hour late start because several buildings lost power and took on water, said Elizabeth Power, district spokesperson.

Building power was restored by 9 a.m. and district staff were working hard to clean up the water, but are positive the buildings will be ready for students after the late start, she said.

"There'll be a couple of areas where they've got the fans going to dry on the floor a little bit more," Power said. “But it’s not impeding learning so much that we would have to cancel the day.”

Creeks are 'running very full'

9:20 a.m.: The National Weather Service reported that: "Papillion Creek remain within its banks, some low-lying and flood-prone locations will experience flooding.

The weather service said, "Big Papillion and Little Papillion Creeks are running very full, and are experiencing flooding in some locations. This will continue into the early afternoon hours. Some locations that will experience flooding include...Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion, Ralston, Offutt AFB, La Vista, Aksarben, South Omaha and Benson."

The Omaha area weather service office has issued a flood warning until 4 p.m.

Coffee shop flooded

9:20 a.m.: When Jacob Wichert arrived at Amateur Coffee on Tuesday morning, he found three inches of water all throughout the shop located at 3913 Cuming St.

“A back drain was clogged, unfortunately, so everything came in through the cracks in the walls and under the door,” Wichert said.

Wichert was mopping and doing what he could to clean up. He said he thought the shop would only be closed for a day.

“I’ve got most of the water out of here and mopped up,” he said.

Wichert said items like coffee beans were not on the floor.

“Luckily, everything is off the ground, per code. So, we’ve been saved in that sense.”

Wichert started the roastery in mid-2016.

Omaha Public Schools working through storms

9:15 a.m.: In the Omaha Public Schools, buses were still working to transport students to school as of 9 a.m., said Bridget Blevins, district spokesperson.

“What we communicated with families is that it could be a delay of 15 or 30 minutes,” Blevins said. “Right now, the biggest thing is everybody's working to assess the situation to see where the biggest impacts have been.”

Blevins said floodwaters haven’t made OPS schools inaccessible and there were a few issues like power outages or impacted water pressure early this morning, but those problems have been resolved. The district hasn’t issued any delays or closures for any buildings.

OPS has a team of officials monitoring the weather, including the storms forecasted for later in the day. Blevins said they convened late Monday to discuss plans for flooding.

MUD reports significant water main break

9:10 a.m.: The Metropolitan Utilities District reported a significant water main break affecting a large area of Omaha east of 72nd Street. Customers in some neighborhoods east of 72nd Street were reporting low water pressure.

An MUD spokeswoman said crews are working to locate the break for repairs. It's not yet known whether the break is related to the storm.

At least one Omaha-area school cancelled, offices, schools opening late

8:10 a.m.: Karen Western Elementary sent out a notice that school would be cancelled on Tuesday.

"This is due to the intense storms that rolled through our community this morning, the amount of standing water close to the school, and the high levels of the Papio Creek that runs close to the school," the school said.

Bennington Public Schools said it would have a two-hour late start, "due to flooding."

The Disaster Recovery Centers in Douglas and Washington County and the Douglas County Treasurers office each said they would open at 9 a.m., rather than 8 a.m.

Nearly 5 inches of rain fell in Omaha's Dundee

8:00 a.m.: A weather station in the Dundee area reported a total of 4.93 inches during the storm, with 3.62 inches of that total falling after midnight.

Late school starts

7:50 a.m.: Families around Omaha and Council Bluffs were reporting that schools were starting late to cope with the storm. Check with your local district on start times.

More than 12,000 without power

7:45 a.m.: The power company reported: "OPPD is responding to 12,511 outages in its service territory as a wave of storms rolls through eastern Nebraska."The largest cluster of outages appeared to be in an area along Interstate 680, east of Boys Town.

Traffic lights out, use caution

7:40 a.m.: The storm caused traffic lights at major intersections, including at 90th and Pacific streets and 120th Street and West Center Road in Omaha, to stop working or blink red. Omaha Police reminded drivers to treat such intersections as four-way stops. The police were reporting several accidents throughout the city.

Omaha police used their vehicles to push abandoned flooded cars out of Saddle Creek Road near 50th Street.

Up to 7 inches of rain stormed down, flood warning

7:21 a.m.: The National Weather Service reported: "Trained weather spotters and public reported veryheavy rain in and around the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro.Between 3 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfallamounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flashflooding is already occurring."

The weather service issued a flash flood warning for southwestern Pottawattamie, southeastern Dodge, Douglas, northeastern Sarpy and south central Washington counties until 9 a.m.

11,000 without power

7:01 a.m.:Omaha Public Power District reported Tuesday morning that more than 11,000 customers were without power. More than 9,000 of those were in Douglas County with most of the rest in Sarpy County.

Cars stalled, roadways flood

6:50 a.m.: Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Omaha police were reporting several roadways with standing water.

Some reports were of areas with up to 3 feet of water with cars stalled. Shortly before 7 a.m., Douglas County 911 advised officers to avoid traveling through the area of 72nd and Dodge Streets because of flooding.

A severe thunderstorm watch was also in effect until 7 a.m. throughout most of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. Storms could bring winds gusting up to 70 mph.

The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood watch until 9 a.m.

Tornado warning issued and expires

6:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service in Valley issued a tornado warning until 6:30 a.m. for Douglas County. Tornado warnings were also in effect for southeastern Dodge County, northeastern Saunders County and Washington County. Emergency sirens began sounding in Omaha about 5:55 a.m.

During a tornado warning, residents should move to a basem*nt or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter to protect from flying debris.

That warning expired but the weather danger persisted.

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