Why Didn't Tornado Sirens Sound Sooner?
Why Didn't Tornado Sirens Sound Sooner? Save Email Print
"This was a 'stealth tornado' that hit the city without any...warning"
Posted: 10:32 AM Jun 9, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:32 AM Jun 10, 2008
 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
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The question heard repeatedly since Sunday morning's tornado is why wasn't there more warning? The sirens didn't sound until after the twister had already come and gone.

Representatives of Douglas County Emergency Management, 911 operators and the National Weather Service met with Mayor Fahey Monday to figure out what went wrong. The tornado was classified as an EF-2, packing winds well over 100 mph.

"This was a 'stealth tornado' that hit the city without any, with very little warning," said Mayor Fahey. "Again, we're extremely thankful that no one was injured. We certainly have a lot of damage out there. The people who have been severely affected by this are going to be living with this for months to come, so our hearts go out to them as well."

Matt Butler's home didn't receive any damage, but he has lost confidence in his weather radio. "I'm not buying the notion that everybody should just have a weather radio and it will wake you up in the middle of the night because that night it wouldn't have done you any good. Nobody issued a warning."

It was the storm itself that awoke Butler, who managed to get his kids out of bed and get them down to the basement 10 minutes before the siren sounded. “It was really disconcerting that I got my kids down that much ahead of the sirens."

Tornado sirens are not actually intended to warn us when we're inside. That's what weather radios are for. The sirens are for people who are outdoors, like campers.

Like many tornado victims, Michelle and Jerry Foral are trying to put the pieces back together. "It was just an unbelievable feeling to see my house gone,” says Michelle. “Your living room is like, where'd it go?”

The pieces they're trying to put together don't just involve their home. "We're trying to get everything in order here so we can get rebuilt and move back in," says Jerry.

They're trying to put the pieces together of a night when a tornado came down from the sky and why very few people seemed to notice.

Why didn't the sirens sound earlier? "Atmospheric conditions didn't really support tornadoes that night,” says Daniel Nietfeld with the National Weather Service.

“We didn't have any spotters that were able to help us out and the radar didn't really show much circulation so for the most part, it was a very difficult thunderstorm or tornado to warn for."

Here's why. At 2:15 a.m. National Weather Service radar first picked up a bow echo near Gretna with 63 mph winds. Each radar revolution takes five minutes so before the radar came around again, the tornado formed and touched down at 2:17 a.m.

The radar didn’t actually pick up the tornado until its next scan at 2:20 a.m. By the time radar made a third scan at 2:25, the tornado had already lifted. A tornado warning was issued at 2:26 a.m. and the sirens went off a minute later.

"It is an inexact science given the fact that this was really a freakish type of a storm,” says Nietfeld. “This is part of what can happen."

"I don't think things meshed and it's a real short timeline that we have in order to keep people from getting killed,” says Butler. “We better figure out how to shorten that timeline."

Fortunately, no lives were lost this time. The National Weather Service says it will continue studying the storm to see if there is anything it could have done differently.

The first 911 call came in at 2:22 a.m. for a roof blown off near 137th and Jefferson Circle, just west of the Millard Airport.

“911, what is your emergency?” asked the 911 operator.

“The roof just blew off our house,” said the caller.

“Okay ma’am, your cell phone just cut out. I cannot understand you.”

“The roof just blew off our house.”

It’s a call Michelle also made. "And then the sirens started and I can tell you the time was 2:23."

The Forals say they're not blaming anyone. "We weren't worried about the weather and Mother Nature, they said it was a freak storm." They're just glad knowing everyone is okay and also knowing everyone involved did their best.

Some 200 emergency responders were on the scene within two hours of the tornado.

"Between 2:30 and 4:30 a.m., the vast majority of on-duty Omaha Fire Department resources were deployed to assist citizens throughout the city affected by the storm," said the mayor.

"This included over 50 fire engines and rescue squads and approximately 180 firefighters and paramedics. Omaha Police responded with approximately 20 officers to secure the area hardest hit, go door-to-door to ensure the safety of our citizens."

The mayor also said that the City Council will address an ordinance on Tuesday that would temporarily waive fees for building permits as those whose homes were damaged begin to make repairs. If approved, it would take effect immediately and last for 60 days.

"This storm really tested the resources of this city," said Omaha's acting Police Chief Eric Buske, who added that the city responded in excellent fashion.

Most of the serious damage was in southwest Omaha, but tree limbs cracked across the city and thousands lost power. About 1,500 OPPD customers remain without power. The hope is to have power fully restored by late Tuesday.

One of the major efforts now in progress is clearing away the downed trees. Omaha has drop sites at 11th and Locust and at 135th and Potwin. Those locations will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. through Sunday, June 15th. The Public Works Department will be doing curbside collections of debris for those who cannot access the drop sites.

The mayor said details on how to dispose of debris other than tree limbs, such as damaged furniture, will be posted on the city's Web site.

Sarpy County has a drop site for tree limbs just west of 156th and Highway 370. Follow the signs in the area.

In addition, Douglas County is fielding reports of damage aside from utilities. You can phone in those reports to 504-6641 or 504-6638.
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Posted by: H on Jun 26, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Very good post about HAARP on June 11, 2008. The weather people have usually been able to give some notice of coming storms, but lately, this has not been the case. Also, I recommend to Everyone with Cameras, take pictures of chemtrails, note times of planes, and of extraordinary cloud formations. Everything that is, it will leave a tracking signature. Also, see Alaska Daily News June 29, 2007 Article on HAARP having become fully operational. This may be an intentional mil ops to do damage to the midwest crop production.
Posted by: Chris on Jun 13, 2008 at 10:40 PM
I resent the comment about 'all of those storm chasers' with their fancy equipment from Teresa. A very small minority of storm chasers are actually funded by any major organization. Only the discovery channel with the TIV, and major university research teams probably get any funding besides the news media people that go out and chase. Most chasers do it because they have a passion for the weather. We do however do the best we can to report severe weather to the National Weather Service offices and new media to keep the public safe. The problem at 2:12 am on a Sunday morning is that very few chasers/ spotters would be out. The danger of chasing storms increases exponentially at night. Also we do know alot more about tornados and the processes that lead to them than 25 years ago, research the amount of tornado fatalities over the last 25 years and youll atleast see that the warning process has been improved. If its so easy, then give it a try Teresa!
Posted by: adam on Jun 13, 2008 at 08:34 AM
the movie twister is all i have to say
Posted by: candi on Jun 12, 2008 at 06:16 PM
hey weneedapoliceauditor--are you a direct descendent of Scrooge or were you just behind the door when the good manners gene was handed out. Why not thank the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker the person who helps you find something in the store, your doctor who just figured out what was wrong with your child, OFD/OFD. My boss is always writing little thank you notes to the associates for the ordinary things we are EXPECTED to do. is it necessary--no--is it appreciated--yes. I do hope you have NEVER thanked anyone who helped you--after all they were just DOING THEIR JOBS. Of course if we do get a police auditor--you will never be satisfied unless the finding was AGAINST the cops in EVERY situation. You know it is considered "screaming or shouting" to type in all caps on email so here's a BIG THANK YOU to OPD, OFD, CBPD and ANY OTHERS ON THIS POST OR ANY OTHER POST WHO WERE 'JUST DOING THEIR JOBS' DURING THE RECENT STORMS
Posted by: dhb on Jun 12, 2008 at 11:58 AM
get over yourself, Trista, you're not getting your job back.
Posted by: WeNeedAPoliceAuditor on Jun 12, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Why do you keep thanking the OPD/OFD? Isn't helping people integral part of their jobs? Nobody thanks us on this page for our jobs, whatever jobs we are performing... We should also thank the bakers for baking amazing cookies and breads and thank the software guys for allowing us to post these messages and this ‘thank you parade’ will never end. Being a PUBLIC servant is a choice and that is it. Thank your family and your neighbors and your friends who have helped you and forget about PUBLIC servants! OPD/OFD are all paid mutually from our taxes and people from parts of the city that were not affected by the weather are actually paying for the clean up, so maybe you should thank the neutrality and generality of the taxation system too.
Posted by: JJ on Jun 12, 2008 at 08:02 AM
SO MUCH ADO ABOUT THE SIRENS. OPEN YOUR EYES,LOOK OUTSIDE,TURN ON THE NEWS,IF IT LOOKS RUFF,TAKE COVER. WE CALL THAT COMMON SENSE.
Posted by: jimm on Jun 11, 2008 at 08:40 PM
"Stealth" storm is a fancy term for "We Blew it, we went to bed". Any time there is a chance of severe weather it behoves those who are charged with public protection to do so. Failure is negligence.
Posted by: Mike on Jun 11, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Yep, Biff, it is as easy as it sounds, I've studied meteorology for twenty years now, with time comes experience. I have seen similar storms in the past produce quick tornadoes. That particular storm waranted a warning simply for the wind gusts it had produced. I would love to have that job at the NWS, but my degree is in Psychology.
Posted by: KMS on Jun 11, 2008 at 03:39 PM
We talked to the guys from OPPD and the LINEMEN that were putting our power lines back up and fixing them and they said that they have not slept for 48 hours stright. Before they came to help us they were where the last storm was and they were just comeing back to help out here. One of the LINEMEN told us that there is a world wide shortage of LINEMEN and people need to go and find a job doing that. You get to travel and you dont have to pay for it. So everyone looking for a job go get one as a LINEMAN!
Posted by: Jay on Jun 11, 2008 at 02:46 PM
I just love all the "monday morning" weathermen here. The only way anyone could even have a complaint about this is if there was someone killed and even then it would be a stretch. Warning does not prevent the property damage that occurred. The weathermen can't predict the tempurature the next day half the time and consitently botched snow forcasts over the last couple years, but you want to hold them accountable for this tornado? Get real people.
Posted by: Just Me on Jun 11, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Ok first off I thank God that no one died during the tornado which by the way I saw..Secondly what if this tornado would have been an F4 and no sirens there would have been many lives lost..no sierns would not have saved our homes but if no sirens with an F2 just think about what if it would have been an F4 or more. We pay taxes for the emergency system and we should be able to feel safe knowing that if a tornado is coming alarms will sound before hand not after.OBTW don't blame Bush he had nothing to do with this storm.
Posted by: Me on Jun 11, 2008 at 02:03 PM
a freind of mine lives in kanasas and thier radar loops every minute...knowing that nebraska does have tornadoes my question is why does ours loop every 5 minutes when other states it loops every minute??? Maybe we should call the state of kanasas and find out how they do it and we can do the same.
Posted by: Adam on Jun 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, call your congressmen and DEMAND they end their HAARP (The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) They could be using this government project to minimize storm conditions, instead the people running it are furthering their global agenda, or what Bush Senior refered to as his "New World Order" they could be making the storms worse to bring our economy to its knees then bring in Bush Jr's North American Union and their new currency the Amero. Best bet is to educate yourself, get water, get food supply, get guns and ammo. There's a war on for your mind, become knowledgeble, there's a InfoWarCOM radio show just take the time to look it up. Fact check everything I have said, it is the truth. I've already called Chuck Hagel and Lee Terry to demand an end to the HAARP program, its time you all did your part. One man can do a lot, but we all need to do our part. Operation Northwoods, REX84, Military Commissions Act, PD51, HSPD20. GiveMeLibertyORG
Posted by: Lori on Jun 11, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I grew up in a smaller community in south-central NE and believe me, the civil defense director there was "trigger-happy" when it came to sounding the sirens. The entire town became so complacent what with this guy sounding the sirens all the time it's a miracle we never did get hit with a tornado or otherwise damaging storm. I'm looking to get one of those new radios (my folks in Lincoln already bought one); I've had one of the old ones ever since I graduated college and the only drawback is it sounds all the time EVERY time for ANY watch or warning within a 100 mile radius. Hopefully Hyvee will be getting in more of the NOAA with S.A.M.E. radios; understand they have been selling like hotcakes since Sunday's storm! And yes, Hmmm in Benson, even the OLD radios will emit an earpiercing shriek that if you can sleep through it, you must be dead already!
Posted by: Biff on Jun 11, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Mike from Mid-town - really? No such thing as a freak storm? Meteorology is an exact science? If you can do better, why not become a meteorologist yourself? Sorry, it just doesn't look as easy as you make it sound. I get frustrated when the weather predictions are inaccurate, too, but again, they're trying to predict something that's unpredictable. Really - it is.
Posted by: To Barb on Jun 11, 2008 at 12:10 AM
The sirens are not for just weather related issues. They are also used for civil defence. They were actually designed for that purpose to begin with. The weather warning part came later. They have to test the system to make sure all sirens are working correctly when activated, which by the way, they did! And to those who say it's just to warn people outside, well thats not entirely true. But to those who complain that they can't hear them indoors. With modern building materials and insulation in houses today. It's harder and harder to design a siren that you can hear indoors and outdoors, with out blowing peoples eardrums. Trust me. They could make sirens that everyone could hear regardless but the hearing damage to people and pets would be enormous. Could you imagine the law suits then!!
Posted by: mike on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:15 PM
NOW they're saying that a first tornado touched down at 2:12 am near Gretna. All anyone had to do was look at the debris trail. the new building at 204 & Q street had part of the roof torn off. that's a huge building for that to have happened just by wind. i agree it was a storm out of nowhere, but at least we could be told the truth about it. how can it be 3 days later and "by the way, there was an earlier tornado"...that throws their credibility 'out the window'.
Posted by: Teresa on Jun 10, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Listen people---with all the money that has been given from grants from the federal government on these storm chasers and all the equipment they use and the doppler radar, you would think that they would have perfected the way to see the masses of major storms---were any of these big storm chasers out watching this one....(No they were probably sleeping like all the rest of us) I think the money that is being spent on chasing tornados could be usefull somewhere else. this is obvious because nothing has changed..they don't know anymore about tornados than they did 25 years ago..
Posted by: D on Jun 10, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Why? Because like medicine, weather prediction is an ART not a SCIENCE. They are both backed by science, but interpretation is a big part of both.
Posted by: Mike on Jun 10, 2008 at 05:02 PM
And nobody needs to be sued, but somebody does need to loose their job. The government has spent billions of dollars over the last 40 years on research of storms, tornado's and how they develope so we can have a warning system. The technologies have been developed to protect us, it is up the people watching these storms, NOAA-NWS, to read the radar correctly and issue a warning, especially for a heavily populated area. I live at 50th and Leavenworth, I don't know where the siren I hear is located, I know its not close because it is not very loud, but it did wake me up instantly, I heard it right when it went off,immediately awoke and turned on my radar, living here all my life has made me sensative to that particular sound. I usually stay up in these situations and watch the radar myself, this was the first and last time I relied on the NWS for a warning.
Posted by: CAROL on Jun 10, 2008 at 04:56 PM
WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO DO IF THEY DID SOUND SOONER THAT YOU DID WHEN THEY WENT OFF.. PUT YOU HOUSE IN YOUR POCKET???? MOTHER NATURE IS WHO SHE IS,, UNPREDICTABLE...SO JUST BE THANKFULL NO ONE GOT HURT........
Posted by: Mike on Jun 10, 2008 at 04:47 PM
There is no such thing as a "freak" storm, and there is an exact science to meteorolgy. It was known by meteorologist that there was a low level jet associated with this storm blowing at 70 mph around 5000 feet. That means the storm will not loose intensity when the sun goes down. The blame lies diresctly on the NWS in Valley for changing the Tornado Watch to a Thunderstorm Watch around 11 PM Saturday night. The sirens should have sounded at 1:57 AM from what I saw on the radar that night. I am born and raised in Omaha and there have been several occasions when we were awakened by the sirens for a Severe Thunderstorm, this storm waranted a warning , even if it didn't produce a tornado, the people needed to be awake and aware of the situation at least a half hour prior just beacause of the 70 mph winds. I am disgusted with NOAA and the NWS for not doing their job correctly. Someone should be held accountable; they failed to do their job, and the sirens woke me up in my house right away.
Posted by: Delancey on Jun 10, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I think the meteorologists and NWS did the best they could. It was a freak storm and the tornado developed quicker than they were able to get the info out. Thats how mother nature works sometimes, and there is no use whining about who to blame. Just be thankful no one was injured or worse yet killed! At some point, we do have to be responsible for ourselves. If a storm is brewing...take precautions and use common sense.
Posted by: Jay on Jun 10, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Because the tornado came out of nowhere at 2 something in the morning. Why does there always have to be somebody to blame for all that goes wrong to people. It's mother nature people, sometimes things just happen. Thank god nobody was killed. People need to stop searching for someone to sue all the time.
Posted by: barb on Jun 10, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I disagree with what is being said about why residents couldn't hear the sirens inside their homes. If the system is for only when people are outside then, get rid of the system and don't test it every 1st Saturday of the month. Otherwise go back to the old sirens that you could hear inside your home or business.
Posted by: anita on Jun 10, 2008 at 02:06 PM
To alysa, you are exactly correct. Most people have gotten lazy and want to blame others for their own failures. Wise up people it is YOUR job to take care of yourself and your family not that of the government.
Posted by: Dillion on Jun 10, 2008 at 02:05 PM
to the The Truth..Why would that not then warn someone inside?
Posted by: Dear Hmmm on Jun 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM
"Weather radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature sound an alert to give you immediate information about a life-threatening situation."
Posted by: Jack on Jun 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM
To DW..So you know,there is a law on how loud those sirens can be,they can not exceed a certain decible limit or they are in violation of federal laws. I am sure they could make a siren loud enough to hear through 10 feet of cement,but we would still have MORONS sueing for damage to their hearing and for being woke up for a tornado not in their immidiate area. As I recall as a child the tornado of 76 the sirens did not sound in my area right away and I lived 8 blocks form the Benson Golf Course..and ya know what?? Nobody screamed lawsuit or tried to blame the weatherman or the NWS..Its a generation we have that does not and con not be respnsible for themselves..GOD HELP US!
Posted by: Jerry on Jun 10, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Karen...You did not seriously just complain a mobile home park not having a tornado shelter did you? You chosse to live there KNOWING there was no shelter! Its like me complaing my apartment hasd no shelter or basement or laundry room to go to! You made the choice suck it up or move out its that simple!
Posted by: Dave on Jun 10, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I gurantee most of those complaining for the sirens not sounding,would also be complaining if they were woken up needlessly by sirens sounding when there was no tornado. The fact is the sirens were NEVER INTENDED to be heard form inside..PERIOD! I live 6 blocks form a siren and did not hear it at all. When you have 80 plus MPH winds heavy rain and thunder all happening those things stop other soulds from traveling. To the complainers I say,get a NWS radio and use that,it wll go off for just about anything and keep you awake even when you don't need to be..just promise us all you wont complain about that too!
Posted by: Ge Ge on Jun 10, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Karen... Are you serious???? You live in a mobile home park by choice. If you feel you are in a unsafe environment move out. Or do what people in OK do that do not have basements. They have storm shelters built. And if you can't build one in your "park" move your trailer to your own lot out in the country and build a storm shelter and stop expecting others to take care of your responsibilities. My house doesn't have a basement and I don't expect the city to build me a shelter... Get Real!
Posted by: TJ on Jun 10, 2008 at 12:36 PM
To Hmmmm... in Benson: The weather radio DOES produce a shrill alarm - check one out before you make any statements to the contrary.
Posted by: jjj on Jun 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM
To Hmmmm in Benson - weather radios do sound alerts when one of the counties you program it for has issued an alert.
Posted by: Julie on Jun 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I want to thank the NOAA and the NWS for all the hard work they do in keeping the public safe. Second, to all the people who are complaining....stop! Anybody who knows anything about severe weather knows that tornadoes cannot be predicted, they can only predict when conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form. I am sure the NWS wishes they would have been able to provide the public with an accurate warning. Let's move on and be happy no one was hurt.
Posted by: K on Jun 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Are you serious!? I grew up in a rural part of Nebraska where there aren't any sirens!!(GASP) How did we survive!? If you think the weather is bad, grab a battery powered radio and head for the basement, don't wait until the sirens sound. Weather is unpredictable and forcasters do their best to warn others of impending danger. Certain people need to quit complaining about uncontrollable situations and become a little more self reliant!
Posted by: The Truth on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
The sirens are not to warn people that are inside their homes, but rather outside camping? I would think the sudden wind, rain, hail and lightning would be what warns the people outside.
Posted by: DW on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:31 AM
The sirens are to warn people outside???Like campers???That must be why we spent money to have them all over the city...to warn all the back yard campers? Oh no, maybe just the homeless. Or maybe we are all supposed to go out and get weather radios because our fail safe sirens failed...That is the most ridiculous statement I have heard so far. I do get the stealth part of the explanation for the lack of sirens. Storms like these are VERY unpredictable. God Bless all affected!!!
Posted by: Spotter on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Watches mean conditions are right for a storm. A warning means that the event is occuring and confirmed by spotters and/or radar shows a STRONG indication that it is occuring, such as showing rotation or idicating high winds. It was 2:00 a.m. and too dark to see so spotters would most likely not be deployed anyway. Tornadoes and other events do NOT always start out in the country and move into the area giving NWS and or spotters a chance to get a warning out. Sirens are for when you are at the park, in the yard, not to wake you from a dead sleep. The question isn't why the sirens didn't sound, the question is why wasn't a warning issued sooner? Sorry, this time it formed right over population and not in the "normal" way of a tornado. 911 reacted quickly and so did NWS once there was information to act upon.
Posted by: RM on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Maybe all you whiners who think that there is an exact science in predicting when a tornado is going to form can talk to Ernie and find out how to sue God for causing it.
Posted by: Hmmm... on Jun 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM
To all you people who are saying get NOAA weather radios instead of depending on the sirens - what good does a radio do you to warn you of a storm when you are sound asleep? Unless they can invent a radio to sound an alarm when a tornado comes, that is not helpful in alerting people to take shelter. If the storm doesn't wake you, and the sirens don't sound, basically we're all sitting ducks at the mercy of the storm. I slept through everything and didn't even know about the storm until I saw the news Sunday morning. I have two dogs that freak out if they hear someone walking outside our house and they would have woken to the sirens. Wonder why there weren't any sirens in Benson? They should be sounding city wide if the tornados are that close. Doesn't seem like there is an easy answer to any of this.
Posted by: To Alysa on Jun 10, 2008 at 09:56 AM
You took the words right out of my mouth! My family and I would of slept through it too if it wasn't for my dog waking me up to go outside moments before it happened. And who would of been to blaim if something happened to my house, MOTHER NATURE.
Posted by: Denise Barche on Jun 10, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Why is it that people always have to start using the "L" word??? LAWSUITS Get real people!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 10, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Joe, The weather service does not produce tornados. Like it has been said before, the weather is unpredictable, and does not play by our rules. I bet you would sue someone if you got a sunburn. Go see JMD.
Posted by: OmahaAnnie on Jun 10, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Enough already. Weather happens. It is not always the government who has to warn us. Just be thankful no one died and move on. It is just stuff.
Posted by: Rob on Jun 10, 2008 at 08:48 AM
So even if people agree that the sirens were only to alert people outdoors, they were still too late to even do what they were "intended" to do!
Posted by: mTm on Jun 10, 2008 at 08:16 AM
Wake up some of you - We will never be able to predict or anticipate anything from mother nature. The system is what we have and 90% of the time it works. Given our governments short comings, the NWS is doing a good job. It was clearly a "perfect storm" so lets get over it. Lawsuits Joe? Give me a break.
Posted by: J on Jun 10, 2008 at 08:11 AM
We depend on our NOAA weather radio with SAME, since we can't hear the sirens if there's a real howler of a storm. This storm hit here, THEN they issued the severe thunderstorm warning. I checked wunderground.com for the radar, saw the reports of damage from Millard and yelled that we'd better head for the basement. THEN the radio went off for the tornado warning, THEN the sirens went off. How about last night's weather? The forecast at 4 p.m. said "Clear". Then we had that line of severe thunderstorms develop starting at 6 p.m. and then a severe thunderstorm warning for central Omaha (which I predicted via wunderground.com radar before NWS declared one - called a friend to shelter cars). I appreciate that NWS can't call them all, but geez, twice in 2 days? Even as an amateur meteorologist, I knew something was coming Sunday a.m., and wondered what those clouds were doing on the horizon last night when the forecast was "clear".
Posted by: Thankful on Jun 10, 2008 at 07:59 AM
I think we should all be Thankful no one hurt. Things happen.... Nothing is 100% This is not a perfect science all the time. Why is eveyrone always so negative and always want to blame someone and cause more issues. Be thankful it was not worse and I am sorry to those who had damage. I had damage nothing to what some had. Thanks
Posted by: Karen on Jun 10, 2008 at 07:23 AM
We live in a mobile home park and there is no where to go for safety if a tornado hits. We have no shelters provided for safety from the storms. The best we can do is get in our vehicles and drive somewhere for safety or stay in our homes and pray for the best. Neither of these ideas offer much in the way of personal safety to me. Why are there no shelters provided for those of us living in these types of homes that typically have no basements. I realise that the house would not be saved but it could be rebuilt and other items could be replaced but what about the people who live in these homes? I should think there would be a law that would require mobile home park owners to provide shelter to those of us living in these areas so that no lives are lost. We have all the rules and regulations for how we are to maintin our homes and yards yet we have no where to go when the weather threatens our personal safety. The only building here is a very small clubhouse.
Posted by: Biff on Jun 10, 2008 at 07:21 AM
My area wasn't affected by the tornado/high winds, etc., but I certainly understand the frustration of those who were. It's probably little comfort to them to say that nothing else could've been done, but really - you're talking about trying to predict nature, and since when has it been predictable? In my mind, there is no such thing as an "absolute science". I hope there is something that can be learned from this event and changes made, but weather forecasting will never be perfected.
Posted by: Joe..be realistic on Jun 10, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Why does everyone have to talk about lawsuits. Weather happens. It is nobodys fautl. No one is to blame here for what happened. When the conditions are right.. they are right.. no matter what sirens go off or dont go off
Posted by: B on Jun 10, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Anyone who was old enough in 1975 knows what a real big tornado can do. I was in Bergan Mercy Hospital when it was hit. By the way, we couldn't hear the sirens and there was one aprox a block away at the time. Wind does strange things to sound. I'd also like to thank OPD & OFD for the great job they did Sunday morning. I was listening to my scanner and those people were on the ball. And last but not least I'd like to thank the big guy upstairs, it could have been a lot worse.
Posted by: Shayna on Jun 10, 2008 at 04:53 AM
I was wondering why I hadn't heard the sirens. I live in West Omaha and the sound and light woke me up shortly before 2am. I looked outside and couldn't see beyond my front porch and it took the strength of myself and my teenage son to pull the door closed. I was sure something was going to come through my windows. I checked the news and the internet I thought perhaps I had slept through the warning but there hadn't been one issued. This is baffling to me as I certainly am not the "trained eye" but I was sure there was a tornado that was progressing through west Omaha. I took my family and we were in the basement at 2 and the sirens didn't sound until 2:30. Call me crazy but if you live in the Midwest perhaps your knowledge of what these storms are capable of should tell you to seek shelter.
Posted by: Bill on Jun 10, 2008 at 04:48 AM
This was a fast moving storm. I don't blame anyone for the late notification. People, spend the money for a weather radio, and quit complaining. Our daughter called us and told us about the storm. Be thankful there are people who risk their lives to watch for tornados. I suppose if you want to blame someone, then blame it on President Bush. He gets blamed for everything else. The sirens can't be heard indoors most of the time. People, grow up and get a life!
Posted by: Jon on Jun 10, 2008 at 04:12 AM
Joe, I think you need to realize that weather is UNPREDICTABLE. Even with today's technology, it is hard to predict exactly what will occur as nature is constantly changing. How about you be a forecaster? Maybe then you'll realize how difficult it is to PREDICT what COULD occur. With how quick this tornado came and went, it is near impossible it would get to F5 strength and die off in 8 minutes. How about checking out your local library and reading up on weather before spouting off here.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 10, 2008 at 01:02 AM
Severe thunderstorms can produce many dangerous weather conditions. They are often associated with strong winds, their always-attendant cloud-to-ground lightning and hail. An ordinary thunderstorm may exhibit one or all of these characteristics, but at a much lower intensity. The public needs to be advised in order to take safety precautions, and a thunderstorm warning is broadcast on most media outlets. The other reason to issue a severe thunderstorm warning is because severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advance warning. Most of the time, a meteorologist can detect circulation or rotation in a storm via radar, and based on the readings, can surmise whether a storm is likely to produce a tornado. However, thunderstorms being what they are, they can fool even a seasoned forecaster, and can put down a funnel cloud at a moment's notice. This is why trained spotters are always activated when severe weather is forecast. They serve as the National Weather Service's outside eyes and ears. Pay attention when a severe thunderstorm warning is issued. Bring pets in and stay away from windows. Park the car in the carport or garage, since hail can damage an automobile. Most importantly, monitor the weather situation by watching television, listening to the radio, turning on a NOAA weather radio or accessing the Internet.
Posted by: Joe on Jun 10, 2008 at 12:52 AM
thank god it wasn't a F5 tornado and people were injured or killed then the weather service would be facing lawsuits
Posted by: in response to late-shift on Jun 9, 2008 at 11:14 PM
my fiance and I rode out the storm in the Gorilla Car wash on Broadway sunday night, we had been watching the tv and i was on internet all night so we knew about the storm coming and got our cars to safety since they both have sun roofs. Yes there was no weather reports on FM but I was listening to KFAB the entire time we were there, and that's all they were doing were reports on the weather and Jim Flowers and everyone were reporting which is why he wasn't on TV cuz most of the area impacted didn't have electricity at the time which would have been pointless if it was all covered on TV...so yes there was weather reporting on KFAB. Jim also made a statement to people on TV Sunday night about it and that he was on the radio instead because of people not being able to watch TV because of electical issues.
Posted by: Todd on Jun 9, 2008 at 10:40 PM
I have read the comments and I mut say some need their hand held during storms. If you are new to this part of the country, I understand, but if you are not, what do you expect during thunderstorms? During spring storms there is alway the threat of tornados!!!
Posted by: Jane on Jun 9, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Sam and Anon with the NOAA weather radios, you guys are so right! Those things ought to be standard issue whenever someone moves to Nebraska; ours has kept us up to the minute on all the storm watches and warnings without fail. Bonus: you won't need a tornado siren, because baby, when that weather radio goes off, you KNOW it! :)
Posted by: Laura on Jun 9, 2008 at 10:09 PM
I don't know what to say about this. We slept through the whole thing, but we are deep sleepers. And we don't blame anyone for that. I hear the sirens loud and clear when they test on the first Saturday of every month. Don't know what more they can do....
Posted by: alysa on Jun 9, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I live in Millard, and we had our children in our basement long before the sirens went off. But face it folks, it's OUR responsibility to pay attention to the weather, even in the middle of the night and decide when it's best for our family to be in the basement. What law says you have to wait for a Tornado warning to head for shelter? I'm as frustrated as anyone by the lack of warning, but we are all also very aware in Nebraska by now of how quickly the weather in Nebraska can change. C'mon folks -- quit trying to place blame. No one can control the weather, and those of us who want to cast stones at the forecasters should try to do their job. Don't you think if the NWS or Channel 6 or whoever could have warned of a tornado they would have?!?!? I have no doubts about that. And you shouldn't either. We are thinking about all of those who have suffered damage.
Posted by: Complainers on Jun 9, 2008 at 09:46 PM
1 - tornados rarely happen at 2:30 in the morning. 2 - this storm did not have a history of producing tornados 3 - unless severe weather is expected, the TV studios and radio stations are frequently on auto-pilot running pre-programmed materials at this time in the morning - trained weather personnel do not hang out at the studio 24 by 7 unless the predictions are for severe weather 4- this tornado was on the ground for only 8 minutes - even if you had a weather radio, there was no time for the warning. 5 - as for the sirens, with closed up houses, air conditioning running, and storms firing, the sirens are of little use unless you are close to them - automated TV warnings that get broadcast once an alert is issued by the weather service, as well as a weather radio, are what you need for these nighttime storms. We got lucky no one was injured - no one did anything wrong - get a grip folks.
Posted by: steve on Jun 9, 2008 at 09:33 PM
the city has no control over the siren its douglas county who control them there over 125 of them in douglas county each one is put where douglas county emergency service tell the contractor where to put it and each one covers 1 mile radias and they overlap each other and are always put on high ground they where all replaced from the old yellow ones a couple years ago to a new ones that i do not think are as loud as the old ones but do not break down as much
Posted by: TC on Jun 9, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Will the NOAA radio be of any use when TV and eventually radio will be all digital?
Posted by: Get real on Jun 9, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Folks, weather is extremely predictable and things can change in an instant. You people are probably the same ones who complain when a warning is issued and no tornados form... Just be thankful you were not killed and do some soul searching... or just shut your mouth.
Posted by: Jamie on Jun 9, 2008 at 08:40 PM
I live right by a high school and can hear the sirens loud and clear on the Saturdays they test them whether I'm inside or outside. HOWEVER, I could barely hear them during this storm. The storm itself woke me up. I was lying in bed trying to decide if I should check the tv because it sounded worse than other storms. As I was lying there, I thought I heard a slight wail outside. So I got up and opened my front door and could hear the sirens quite clearly that way. My house is nearly 100 years old.. there's no insulation in the walls and I have the original windows, single pane ones. This particular storm muffled the sirens that are a block away from my house! If I was asleep, they wouldn't have woken me at all. I'm not complaining... it is what it is. I'm just thankful I am a light sleeper and that storms wake me up every time... a blessing and a curse I guess.
Posted by: Late-shift is right on Jun 9, 2008 at 08:35 PM
Forget Z92 and the rest of these dj idiots! They all simply popped in a cd and ran for cover!
Posted by: ? on Jun 9, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Storms are unpredictable. This one came up fast. Warnings are when tornados are spotted. I'm not sure this could have been predicted and I hope people pay attention to watches.
Posted by: David on Jun 9, 2008 at 08:01 PM
We live out at on the east side of Council Bluffs and heard the warning sirens go off just fine!! I know everyone wishes we could be warned sooner, but unfortunately folks predicting the actions of mother nature is not an exact science. As everyone knows living in the midwest, thunderstorms, tornados etc.. have a personality all their own and are so unpredictable. I hope everyone who was damaged in the storm gets everything back together real soon and kudos to the citizens of omaha who pitched in to help their neighbors. I am sure that this storm will be studied and changes will happen if needed. Instead of griping, name calling and waiting for things to change, participate and provide feedback and information that may help things improve the next time. Living here I am sure we will see a next time. Some of the comments here are very helpful on where tornado sirens could be heard and where they couldn't. Hopefully the city will read some of these, evaluate it and make changes.
Posted by: Gary on Jun 9, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Since nobody was seriously injured what is their point? Sirens can't protect houses. Everybody wants to blame somebody for what life just throws at them. Read some history about how this country started. People didn't whine and whine, they just picked things up and went on with life. They didn't have insurance and there was nobody to blame. Good thing they were here for us back then and not these folks.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 9, 2008 at 07:11 PM
What if the sirens went off and woke people up and there was no tornado? Would people be complaining then?
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 9, 2008 at 07:10 PM
First off, Sirens are meant for people outside. Secondly, the sound is generated by compressed air, you cannot 'turn up the volume'. Lastly, if the NWS thought a tornado would form they would have sounded the sirens. Do you think that they would purposely not sound the sirens if an immediate threat of tornadoes were present?
Posted by: rob on Jun 9, 2008 at 07:00 PM
You people will whine about anything give it a rest if your indoors and 60 mph winds you are not gonna hear them anyway it was a freak storm it happens not everything can be predicted and yes I live in millard and went thru the tornado! Just give thanks that all that was damaged was stuff and I want to thank all those that were out here helping even though they didnt have to or even know us! Great job
Posted by: Jeff on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:56 PM
There was a discussion on a storm chasing website that talked about NWS issuing Tornado Warnings for just straight line winds. Could this storm have justified a Tornado Warning for just straight line winds? The problem that you will run into is if the sirens sound for every strong wind event people will begin to ignore them.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Well, when the weather people can out think God, then we will have a warning way fast than mother nature. Stop complaning and thank God that you are alive.
Posted by: Susan on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:49 PM
We're at approx 40th and Dodge and we could hardly hear the sirens. I happened to wake up to a loud thunder clap and could barely hear them. At that time the winds were incredible. Pretty spooky to think the radar takes 5 minutes to make a complete sweep....doesnt seem too accurate to me especially if the storm was moving the reported 50 mph!
Posted by: Thankful and Alone on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:45 PM
I would first like to thank the weather service for all they do to try to predict the weather, but the truth is we are alone and on our own when it comes to Tornados, it's like they come out of nowhere with no warning. I thank God that we are all alive and we need to put our trust in him, not the weather service. I used to live in the country and the way I knew bad weather was coming; was by watching the animals, they know more than machines, I think...Thanks anyway weather service, but this time it took you by surprise just like us.
Posted by: ED on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:28 PM
I am tired of listening to all the whining about not sounding the sirens or issuing warnings. Why can't people take responsibility for their own welfare? Grow up people don't expect some one else or the government to do it for you.
Posted by: Kim on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:22 PM
The mayor said that 911 received calls about tornado damage long before NOAA issued a warning, but they didn't turn the sirens on because they didn't want to diminish the effectiveness of the siren by "crying wolf". What an excuse; what a joke! How often does the siren ever actually result in a tornado on the ground and/or damage now??? There are plenty of people who already disregard the siren. If you had turned them on Sunday morning after that 911 call and that person's home ended up being the ONLY one damaged, there wouldn't be any more people in the future that would disregard the siren than there already are now. You should have turned it on for the sake of those of us who take it seriously, period. Don't wait for NOAA to issue the warning too late - you should care about us more than they do!
Posted by: Olive on Jun 9, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I was woken by the sound of my bedroom window being broken by the serve winds. The tornado siren did not sounds until 5 minutes later!! There is something wrong with this fact!
Posted by: Brad L. on Jun 9, 2008 at 05:42 PM
Not any sirens near 129th and Maple? There's sirens behind the Lake Forest Apartments between 108th and 120th and Old Maple Road, plus sirens behind the Church at 132nd and Blondo. The sirens on Blondo have been there since I lived out that way, and that was in 1988. I have friends and family I'm trying to get hold of, so I'm hoping power is restored. We heard nothing of this out here in Sacramento, so I'm glad WOWT is still here, with coverage from people I grew up with and trust. A scanner with NOAA frequencies would definitely help with this. Oh.. Did the Millard Airport take any damage?
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 9, 2008 at 05:27 PM
I could barely hear the sirens because of the storm, but we have a NOAA radio so we were up anyway because of the T-storm warning issued a few minutes before the tornado warning. I'd say it was about 45 seconds after NOAA issued the tornado warning that the sirens went off here. Everyone who lives in "tornado alley" should have a weathe radio!
Posted by: Andy on Jun 9, 2008 at 05:08 PM
As stated earlier, the sirens are not intended to notify people indoors. They are strictly for warning the people that may be outdoors in or in their vehicles. As a meteorologist (not NWS), I would highly suggest that everyone get a weather radio. Make sure it has the S.A.M.E. technology so that it only alerts you to warnings at your location. I am familiar with NWS procedures, and I have personally reviewed this storm. From what I have seen, the forecasters could not have done anything differently with this storm. The WSR-88D radar that is currently used by the NWS updates every 5-6 minutes. That's as fast as it can go with current technology. The 2:20am radar scan did NOT indicate rotation. When the 2:25 radar scan came in, the rotation was present and a warning was issued. This was a tough situation for a forecaster. However, I feel with our current resources that nothing different could have been done. With that being said, I am thankful no lives were lost.
Posted by: Richard on Jun 9, 2008 at 04:55 PM
I would like to thank the moron who dropped the ball. I was fast asleep and only waking up to the sound of howling wind did i know something was wrong. I leave my radio on at night to help me sleep and you would of thought that there would be info on the radio about the tornado but NOTHING and not just one station, ALL OF THEM! thats when the power went out and when it came back on a few minutes later, i check the tv and sure enough theres the warning. Thanks for letting me know omaha radio! THANKS!!
Posted by: carol on Jun 9, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I don't know what people want from the NWS or the metorologists. Do you think they carry around crystal bslls and can predict what is going to happen in any given moment? I would like to know what Fahey would have done if this tornado would have had the impact that the one in '75 had. That one covered almost 25 miles of Omaha and left thousands without homes and two dead. Remember the national guard had to be called in to patrol the areas. It looked like a war zone here. For those of you who are old enough to remember you know what I am talking about, if you are to young look that one up.I am not downgrading this one, I am just saying it could have been a lot worse. Also, if some of you that could not hear the sirens, how did you know that they did the testing at noon and not at ten??? They went off twice here.
Posted by: riley on Jun 9, 2008 at 04:19 PM
where I live, I heard the sirens loud and clear...it woke me up out of a sound sleep at like 2:30 in the morning. (and I think the news people did a good job covering the storm on both the tv and radio, and Internet too.) I'm usually very good at sleeping through storms, the only thing that woke me up was the sirens going off. by the way there wasn't a whole lot of damage in my neighborhood- mostly just some branches lying around and that was about it.
Posted by: Late-shift on Jun 9, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Where was radio info/warnings? I was halfway home from work when the sirens went off, scanned the whole dial (AM AND FM), and heard nothing but music and commercials. I had no way of knowing if I was driving into, or out of, the path of a tornado. I'm sure it would have been a different story if it was 2:30 PM, and people that work late nights deserve warning, too.
Posted by: In resonse to can't hear me on Jun 9, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Eagle Run has on low point. The clubhouse is up higher without all the trees blocking it. Also, the busy traffic on Maple street, nowhere near your clubhouse, doesn't make it any better. I did mention that a lot of elderly who are hard of hearing live there. We can barely hear it when outside, but we can't hear it at all when it storms. The siren is simply too far away. My mother lives on 144th and Maple and she complains about the siren not be loud enough.....she is also hard of hearing. No matter, I think if people can't hear a "WARNING SIREN" due to it's location, it should be a great concern to the city. It sure was to me Sunday Morning!!! I am not hard of hearing either!
Posted by: Marla on Jun 9, 2008 at 02:29 PM
We used to hear the sirens loud and clear, but on Saturday night/Sunday morning, we barely heard them. The siren atop of Belevedere School must not have been working. Also when did the test time change from 10:00 a.m. to noon?
Posted by: B on Jun 9, 2008 at 02:19 PM
I actually can't hear the sirens at my apartment near 140th and Maple, either. It is pretty concerning. Perhaps those residents who can't hear the warnings on test day should call the Mayor's hotline to let them know? The tests are done to make sure the sirens work, not necessarily to make sure every person can hear them.
Posted by: OmahaAnnie on Jun 9, 2008 at 01:45 PM
The only thing that was lost were material things! One can always rebuild or move, family is much more important, thank goodness everyone is alive.
Posted by: Omaha on Jun 9, 2008 at 01:21 PM
They are designed to be heard outdoors, we are supposed to listen to the radio/tv or an alert radio when we are inside. Not too many people were probably outside at that hour, nor awake watching tv!! God bless those who were impacted.
Posted by: sam on Jun 9, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Can't hear, the sirens are only outdoor warning devices. They are not intended to penetrate household walls, etc. Purchase a NOAA weather radio and when the Weather Service punches the warning you will hear it 10 to 15 minutes before your emergency management people will sound the alarm.
Posted by: Jennifer on Jun 9, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I thankfully was awaken by something other than the sirens, which sounded after my apartment building was struck by the tornado. Only my car suffered damage, which I am also thankful for since the opposite end of my building was not as fortunate. I do wish the spectators would suspend their 'surveying the damage,' as I found it difficult to drive back home after getting supplies to patch my broken car window. I understand the oohing and awwing of curious folks who were not affected, but they are making cleaning efforts more difficult.
Posted by: to can't hear on Jun 9, 2008 at 12:32 PM
We were playing golf at Eagle Run Saturday morning and once we were back at the clubhouse we clearly heard the siren testing going on around noon (we all thought it odd because we thought they were supposed to go off at 10). The course is right across the street from you...how can you say you can't hear them?
Posted by: SOS on Jun 9, 2008 at 12:21 PM
I live near 92nd & Center and the civil defense sirens are barely audible in the wind, rain & thunder. When it's tested at 10 on clear & bright Saturday mornings, it's passable, but not loud enough. Please, we need more volume! Almost none of my even neighbors heard it and slept through Saturday night's storm. It could have been a tragic loss of life.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 9, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Thanks OPD/OFD
Posted by: Can't hear the warning anyway! on Jun 9, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I think the City needs to put up a Tornado Siren where I live! You can check them all you want. We can barely here them when you test them on a sunny day. Even when you sounded them Sunday morning, we couldn't hear them over the rain and wind. The mobile home park there is prime pickings for massive loss of life unless something is done about it. Most people who live there are elderly and hard of hearing as it is. We don't have basements to find shelter, we have to drive to it!
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