40 years ago today, epic tornado tore through Omaha in cruel game of chance

[Omaha Steve]

THOMAS BENO
On May 6, 1975, the devastating, debris-filled tornado moves northward near 72nd Street and Mercy Road. Thomas Beno, an advertising account executive, took this picture looking west from an office building at 7171 Mercy Road.

http://www.omaha.com/columnists/kelly/kelly-years-ago-today-epic-tornado-tore-through-omaha-in/article_efd4325a-7a42-5089-a231-15100d685252.html

POSTED: WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 1:00 AM
By Michael Kelly / World-Herald columnist

On that unforgettable Omaha day 40 years ago, I latched on to the mayor at City Hall and rode with him into the ruins.

The air was stiller than still. The damage worse than I could imagine. On May 6, 1975, my eyes widened at the sight of cars strewn, buildings flattened, trees splintered.

We learned by evening that only three people died. Eventually, it was determined that this epic F4/EF4 tornado was and remains one of the worst in U.S. history for property damage — the equivalent of $1.1 billion today.

Yes, one of the costliest. But not one of the deadliest.

FULL story at link. Audio video: http://studio.omaha.com/?ndn.trackingGroup=91341&ndn.siteSection=omahawh_wth_sev_sty&ndn.videoId=28996618&freewheel=91341&sitesection=omahawh_wth_sev_sty&vid=28996618

Related Documents @ link.

More World-Herald tornado coverage from 1975

Related Links

Tracking a beast – the May 6, 1975, Omaha tornado

May 6, 1975, tornado: 'Out of tragedy there was a rebirth'

[liberal N proud]

1. I vaugely recall the coverage of the aftermath

I grew up in Northwest Iowa and I do recall the news coverage. I would have been in High School at the time.