Nebraska
Nebraska tornadoes: Omaha airport damage won’t interfere with big weekend ahead
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Omaha airport officials made assurances Saturday that none of the tornado damage at Eppley Airfield will prevent it from welcoming those flocking to the city for the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder events in the days ahead.
Mayor Jean Stothert said during Saturday’s major briefing in the aftermath of the tornadoes that hit Douglas County that the airport was still experiencing delays.
The airport was closed less than an hour Friday, reopening at 5:59 p.m., after a tornado struck the general aviation area, according to David Roth with the Omaha Airport Authority.
Roth said they had been preparing for the weather event for days beforehand.
Passengers in the terminals were taken into shelters throughout the severe weather event, and no injuries were reported.
The passenger areas were not damaged by the storm, and neither were the construction areas, so that work continued Saturday, Roth said.
But there was damage on the airfield — several millions of dollars’ worth.
Four hangars owned by OAA were completely destroyed, and the 31 private aircraft housed there sustained significant damage, Roth said. But reconstruction crews had already been deployed as of Saturday’s news conference.
For the time being, he said, the east side of the airport would remain closed to anyone without specific reason to be there.
Local, county, regional, and state officials held a news conference at 3 p.m. Saturday along with representatives from area organizations and agencies to share details about the events of Friday’s storms as well as map out recovery efforts ahead and those already underway.
Local, state, and federal disaster proclamations are expected, which will release funds for recovery.
—
Reporter Joe Harris contributed to this report.
—
Get the latest weather alerts for your area. Download the 6 First Alert Weather app.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said Thursday that he has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for damage caused by storms that hit the state May 15-18.
The storms spawned tornadoes and flash flooding across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were numerous downed power poles and lines as well as extensive damage to schools, building and roadways. Damage just to public infrastructure is estimated at nearly $5 million.
In addition to the disaster declaration request, Pillen said he also has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to governments to allow them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.
Thursday’s disaster declaration request is the second in two months. Back in May, Pillen requested one for historic wildfires in March that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morill counties. At the time of the request, it was estimated there was at least $9.7 million in damage from the fires, which were the worst in Nebraska’s history.
Nebraska
Bandits back in the win column with tournament-opening victory in Nebraska – East Idaho News
OMAHA, Neb. – The Bandits opened the Omaha, Nebraska tournament with a 7-4 win over Fremont.
The Bandits, coming off two losses to Billings at last week’s Bandits Invitational, trailed 4-3 in the fifth, but tied it up on a sac fly by Cole Croft.
They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.
Carter Bowen finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Conner Cannon and Taye Lords each knocked in two runs for Idaho Falls (10-2).
Tyson Christenson picked up the win with four innings of relief.
=htmlentities(get_the_title())?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=get_permalink()?>%0D%0A%0D%0A=htmlentities(‘For more stories like this one, be sure to visit https://www.eastidahonews.com/ for all of the latest news, community events and more.’)?>&subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20EastIdahoNews” class=”fa-stack jDialog”>
LOWELL, Neb. (WOWT) – On this day in 1872, the boomtown of Lowell, Nebraska was named the seat of Kearney County.
The Nebraska State Historical Society says the Burlington and Missouri River Railroads chose it as a town site the year before.
For a short time, it became a major shipping point for central Nebraska.
Its status would be short-lived.
Later that year, the railroad expanded to Kearney, which became the center for regional trading.
Lowell’s land office was removed in 1874.
Four years later, the boom town was nothing more than a village.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
—
On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate its 250th birthday. Every day leading up to it, First Alert 6 will take a look at the people and events that shaped our area.
—
Get a first alert to severe weather approaching your area. Download the First Alert 6 Weather app.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
-
Lifestyle26 minutes agoThe second life of a classic: ‘Amores Perros’ is remastered and back in theaters
-
Technology35 minutes agoValve is so behind on Steam Controller orders that some won’t ship until 2027
-
World41 minutes agoFrom bear hugs to handshakes: How India lost its edge with Trump while Pakistan quietly gained ground
-
Politics48 minutes agoNew poll reveals where Americans stand after Trump agreement with Iran
-
Health51 minutes agoNo sex for 10 weeks? Championship team’s playoff strategy raises eyebrows
-
Sports56 minutes ago2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Race Tracker: Lionel Messi Is Alone At The Top
-
Technology1 hour agoMcDonald’s AI drive-thru may take your next order
-
Business1 hour ago
Uber, California lawyers say deal reached to avert dueling ballot initiative showdown
