Omaha Flash Flood
Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 10:09 am
August 7, 2021, Omaha NE
The storms hit the western edge of Omaha about 8:40 p.m, and storms kept coming one after another. The rain really hit downtown Omaha from about 9PM to 10:30. The worst of the flooding came as the water drained after the worst of the rain and hail had ended.
Omaha received between 3 and 4 inches of rain (depending on where you were) in less than an hour, then the rain (and hail) continued after the first downpour. Cars were floating down 13th street at Jackson, and Saddle Creek Road had water 2 to 3' high, and pretty much became the creek. The underpasses and exit ramps on Interstate 80 flooded and cars that tried to drive through were submerged. Most of the water was moving very fast.
Seven people total were trapped in 2 different elevators as the water rose to above their shoulders. The roommates of one man rescued him and 3 others with him. The fire department water rescue team got the other elevator open.
Lot of cars damaged, but no major injuries. It was Saturday night, the Old Market was full of people out for the evening.
More people are killed by flash floods in Nebraska than by tornados. That was new to me.
The storms hit the western edge of Omaha about 8:40 p.m, and storms kept coming one after another. The rain really hit downtown Omaha from about 9PM to 10:30. The worst of the flooding came as the water drained after the worst of the rain and hail had ended.
Omaha received between 3 and 4 inches of rain (depending on where you were) in less than an hour, then the rain (and hail) continued after the first downpour. Cars were floating down 13th street at Jackson, and Saddle Creek Road had water 2 to 3' high, and pretty much became the creek. The underpasses and exit ramps on Interstate 80 flooded and cars that tried to drive through were submerged. Most of the water was moving very fast.
Seven people total were trapped in 2 different elevators as the water rose to above their shoulders. The roommates of one man rescued him and 3 others with him. The fire department water rescue team got the other elevator open.
Lot of cars damaged, but no major injuries. It was Saturday night, the Old Market was full of people out for the evening.
More people are killed by flash floods in Nebraska than by tornados. That was new to me.