2019 Severe Weather Thread

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 12:24 pm

Air Force gives up fight to stop water at Offutt; one-third of base is flooded

By Steve Liewer / World-Herald staff writer wrote: The Air Force's 55th Wing halted efforts to stop the Missouri River from engulfing Offutt Air Force Base overnight Saturday.

About one-third of the base is now underwater, Tech. Sgt. Rachelle Blake, a 55th Wing spokeswoman, said Sunday. Sixty buildings, mostly on the south end of the base, have been damaged. Thirty are completely inundated with as much as 8 feet of water, including the 55th Wing headquarters building, the E-4B Nightwatch hangar and the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility. There are about 200 buildings on the base.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 1:59 pm

My goodness... Is that the first time that Offutt has ever flooded? I didnt really think about the fact that the base had that threat, although its, of course, not far from the river. How high is the Missouri? Back in 2011(ish), I dont recall Offutt flooding, so the river must be higher this time -- logically. Im curious about flood crest heights between both years.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 2:27 pm

The Missouri River at Omaha was at or above flood stage for all but a few hours from May 31 to Sept. 10, 2011. The river crested 7.29 feet above flood stage on July 2 in Omaha — at 36.29 feet.

This week:

image.jpeg

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:05 pm

My guess is Offutt is flooding because both the Platte and Missouri rivers are flooding at the same time. Where the Platte drains into the river is a choke point for water. Just like how meeging cars create backups. I heard the Missouri river is 34 feet at Omaha, but more than 40 at Bellevue.

What an insidious disaster this has been. It probably should change our building plans. No need to mess with the valley when we can stay high up in the hills and build toward Blair and fill out the hills of Sarpy county.

Notice I gave it the title "the valley" as I think it has definitely reminded us why it's there. Those rivers carved that valley into the hills and now we see how. It now makes sense with town names like Valley and Waterloo, I think we best pay respect to these rivers going forward.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:24 pm

image.jpeg

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:30 pm

Missouri River Historic Crests in Omaha (I-480 Bridge)

(1) 40.20 ft on 04/18/1952
(2) 36.29 ft on 07/02/2011
(3) 34.22 ft on 04/25/1881
(4) 30.26 ft on 07/10/1993
(5) 29.50 ft on 06/23/1996
(6) 29.02 ft on 06/27/1984
(7) 28.92 ft on 06/29/2018
(8) 28.74 ft on 07/01/2010
(9) 27.94 ft on 06/23/2014
(10) 26.96 ft on 04/04/1960
(11) 26.89 ft on 06/17/1990
(12) 26.82 ft on 04/12/1969
(13) 26.71 ft on 06/12/2008
(14) 26.52 ft on 05/06/2007
(15) 26.48 ft on 04/12/1997
(16) 26.48 ft on 03/29/1962
(17) 26.31 ft on 06/03/1995
(18) 25.94 ft on 06/30/1983
(19) 25.37 ft on 06/15/1991
(20) 24.38 ft on 03/20/1978

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 7:34 pm

Mormon Bridge into Iowa

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sun Mar 17, 2019 9:31 pm

I just heard that the West Center Road bridge that goes to Yutan is washed out (I was just thinking the other day about the fact that if the Omaha suburbs jump the Elkhorn River Valley, and start up in Yutan, they really should build an elevated bridge across the entire valley, so commuters wont have the risk of no connection to Omaha). And, I heard there is some crack at 72nd & Dodge or something?

GenX · Post by **GenX** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 12:15 am

Uffda wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2019 7:34 pm Mormon Bridge into Iowa

Looks like they may have to rebuild I-680 on the Iowa side once again. Although I understand why they rebuilt it exactly as it was following the 2001 flood (no need to get environmental studies, etc…), which allowed them to rebuild it in record time, I think it’s time they consider elevating it beyond the five feet it’s currently elevated.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:15 am

Dodge Str. South of Waterloo.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:18 am

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:19 am

Coyote wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:30 pm Missouri River Historic Crests in Omaha (I-480 Bridge)

(1) 40.20 ft on 04/18/1952
(2) 36.29 ft on 07/02/2011
(3) 34.22 ft on 04/25/1881
(4) 30.26 ft on 07/10/1993
(5) 29.50 ft on 06/23/1996
(6) 29.02 ft on 06/27/1984
(7) 28.92 ft on 06/29/2018
(8) 28.74 ft on 07/01/2010
(9) 27.94 ft on 06/23/2014
(10) 26.96 ft on 04/04/1960
(11) 26.89 ft on 06/17/1990
(12) 26.82 ft on 04/12/1969
(13) 26.71 ft on 06/12/2008
(14) 26.52 ft on 05/06/2007
(15) 26.48 ft on 04/12/1997
(16) 26.48 ft on 03/29/1962
(17) 26.31 ft on 06/03/1995
(18) 25.94 ft on 06/30/1983
(19) 25.37 ft on 06/15/1991
(20) 24.38 ft on 03/20/1978

Interesting that as global temperatures rise, we're seeing more frequent flooding of the Missouri River in Omaha. 12 of the highest 20 crests in Omaha's 165 year history have occurred during the last 30 years. We only have 12 years to reverse it.

Louie · Post by **Louie** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:32 am

daveoma wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:19 am
Coyote wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:30 pm Missouri River Historic Crests in Omaha (I-480 Bridge)

(1) 40.20 ft on 04/18/1952
(2) 36.29 ft on 07/02/2011
(3) 34.22 ft on 04/25/1881
(4) 30.26 ft on 07/10/1993
(5) 29.50 ft on 06/23/1996
(6) 29.02 ft on 06/27/1984
(7) 28.92 ft on 06/29/2018
(8) 28.74 ft on 07/01/2010
(9) 27.94 ft on 06/23/2014
(10) 26.96 ft on 04/04/1960
(11) 26.89 ft on 06/17/1990
(12) 26.82 ft on 04/12/1969
(13) 26.71 ft on 06/12/2008
(14) 26.52 ft on 05/06/2007
(15) 26.48 ft on 04/12/1997
(16) 26.48 ft on 03/29/1962
(17) 26.31 ft on 06/03/1995
(18) 25.94 ft on 06/30/1983
(19) 25.37 ft on 06/15/1991
(20) 24.38 ft on 03/20/1978
Interesting that as global temperatures rise, we're seeing more frequent flooding of the Missouri River in Omaha. 12 of the highest 20 crests in Omaha's 165 year history have occurred during the last 30 years. We only have 12 years to reverse it.

I mean it makes sense. Less water frozen in the icecaps = more water introduced to the atmosphere.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:41 am

More water = more drainage capacity needed. Greater temperature swings = less time to handle increased run-off.

More GOP = More denial of possible causes.

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:12 am

Louie wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:32 am
daveoma wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:19 am
Coyote wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:30 pm Missouri River Historic Crests in Omaha (I-480 Bridge)

(1) 40.20 ft on 04/18/1952
(2) 36.29 ft on 07/02/2011
(3) 34.22 ft on 04/25/1881
(4) 30.26 ft on 07/10/1993
(5) 29.50 ft on 06/23/1996
(6) 29.02 ft on 06/27/1984
(7) 28.92 ft on 06/29/2018
(8) 28.74 ft on 07/01/2010
(9) 27.94 ft on 06/23/2014
(10) 26.96 ft on 04/04/1960
(11) 26.89 ft on 06/17/1990
(12) 26.82 ft on 04/12/1969
(13) 26.71 ft on 06/12/2008
(14) 26.52 ft on 05/06/2007
(15) 26.48 ft on 04/12/1997
(16) 26.48 ft on 03/29/1962
(17) 26.31 ft on 06/03/1995
(18) 25.94 ft on 06/30/1983
(19) 25.37 ft on 06/15/1991
(20) 24.38 ft on 03/20/1978
Interesting that as global temperatures rise, we're seeing more frequent flooding of the Missouri River in Omaha. 12 of the highest 20 crests in Omaha's 165 year history have occurred during the last 30 years. We only have 12 years to reverse it.
I mean it makes sense. Less water frozen in the icecaps = more water introduced to the atmosphere.

The competency or lack of competency by the Corps of Engineers and Government is a significant factor as well. Why in the middle of a huge meltdown was Gavins Point Dam releasing so much water?

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:25 am

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:12 am
Louie wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:32 am
daveoma wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:19 am
Coyote wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:30 pm Missouri River Historic Crests in Omaha (I-480 Bridge)

(1) 40.20 ft on 04/18/1952
(2) 36.29 ft on 07/02/2011
(3) 34.22 ft on 04/25/1881
(4) 30.26 ft on 07/10/1993
(5) 29.50 ft on 06/23/1996
(6) 29.02 ft on 06/27/1984
(7) 28.92 ft on 06/29/2018
(8) 28.74 ft on 07/01/2010
(9) 27.94 ft on 06/23/2014
(10) 26.96 ft on 04/04/1960
(11) 26.89 ft on 06/17/1990
(12) 26.82 ft on 04/12/1969
(13) 26.71 ft on 06/12/2008
(14) 26.52 ft on 05/06/2007
(15) 26.48 ft on 04/12/1997
(16) 26.48 ft on 03/29/1962
(17) 26.31 ft on 06/03/1995
(18) 25.94 ft on 06/30/1983
(19) 25.37 ft on 06/15/1991
(20) 24.38 ft on 03/20/1978
Interesting that as global temperatures rise, we're seeing more frequent flooding of the Missouri River in Omaha. 12 of the highest 20 crests in Omaha's 165 year history have occurred during the last 30 years. We only have 12 years to reverse it.
I mean it makes sense. Less water frozen in the icecaps = more water introduced to the atmosphere.
The competency or lack of competency by the Corps of Engineers and Government is a significant factor as well. Why in the middle of a huge meltdown was Gavins Point Dam releasing so much water?

Are you talking about the release of 90,000 CFS over the weeked for a day. I am sure you can find it but it was a short time relative to the 160,000 CFS in 2011 for a LONG time. They stated that they upped to flow for a short duration to increase the flow and provide a surge of relatively warmer water to assist in breaking up ice jams. They were down to 25,000 CFS by Monday.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:03 pm

nebugeater wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:25 am
GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:12 am
Louie wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:32 am
daveoma wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:19 am
Coyote wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:30 pm Missouri River Historic Crests in Omaha (I-480 Bridge)

(1) 40.20 ft on 04/18/1952
(2) 36.29 ft on 07/02/2011
(3) 34.22 ft on 04/25/1881
(4) 30.26 ft on 07/10/1993
(5) 29.50 ft on 06/23/1996
(6) 29.02 ft on 06/27/1984
(7) 28.92 ft on 06/29/2018
(8) 28.74 ft on 07/01/2010
(9) 27.94 ft on 06/23/2014
(10) 26.96 ft on 04/04/1960
(11) 26.89 ft on 06/17/1990
(12) 26.82 ft on 04/12/1969
(13) 26.71 ft on 06/12/2008
(14) 26.52 ft on 05/06/2007
(15) 26.48 ft on 04/12/1997
(16) 26.48 ft on 03/29/1962
(17) 26.31 ft on 06/03/1995
(18) 25.94 ft on 06/30/1983
(19) 25.37 ft on 06/15/1991
(20) 24.38 ft on 03/20/1978
Interesting that as global temperatures rise, we're seeing more frequent flooding of the Missouri River in Omaha. 12 of the highest 20 crests in Omaha's 165 year history have occurred during the last 30 years. We only have 12 years to reverse it.
I mean it makes sense. Less water frozen in the icecaps = more water introduced to the atmosphere.
The competency or lack of competency by the Corps of Engineers and Government is a significant factor as well. Why in the middle of a huge meltdown was Gavins Point Dam releasing so much water?
Are you talking about the release of 90,000 CFS over the weeked for a day. I am sure you can find it but it was a short time relative to the 160,000 CFS in 2011 for a LONG time. They stated that they upped to flow for a short duration to increase the flow and provide a surge of relatively warmer water to assist in breaking up ice jams. They were down to 25,000 CFS by Monday.

In addition, the Corps of Engineers had to make room upstream from Gavins Point to handle the inflow from the Niobrara River and surge from the failure of the Spencer Dam further upstream on he Niobrara, not to mention the inflows above Gavins Point from the same weather conditions happening in southeast South Dakota. No doubt that increased the eventual flooding on the Missouri downstream, but it had nothing to do with the record flooding on the Wood, Platte, Loup, and Elkhorn Rivers in Nebraska. Gavins Point is going to need to have some capacity to handle whats yet to come too.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 4:15 pm

Also, Gavin's Point is the smallest of the Missouri River dams. It has less than 1% of the system's flood control storage.

http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/re ... board1.pdf

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 6:08 pm

Can you say FEMA

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Mar 19, 2019 6:53 pm

image.jpeg

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:19 pm

Here's a link if you want more detailed info about the operation of the dams. It's a large file, so give it time.

Master Water Control Manual Missouri River Basin

Each reservoir only provides a portion of its overall capacity for flood control. How much capacity they provide each year is debatable and based on ongoing predictions and many other factors such as recreation, irrigation, precipitation, drought, and wildlife management.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:00 pm

Magic fridge' full of cold beer found in flooded Nebraska field

Kyle Simpson and friend Gayland Stouffer spent Sunday cleaning mud from his property on the Platte River. As the sun was setting, the two men were walking back to their car when Stouffer spotted what looked like a refrigerator in the middle of a field.

“He says, ‘Hey, this is a refrigerator.’ And he opens it up and says, ‘It’s full of beer,'” Simpson told Lincoln Journal Star. “I said, ‘Yeah, right.’ And he reaches in and says, ‘It’s ice-cold.’”

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:03 am

Check out this strange tour of the flooded area of Omaha by Utube star FOOLIGAN. He supposedly has 1 million Utube followers watching his vids that he makes of him and his buddies cruising around Omaha on dirt bikes.
[youtube][/youtube]

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:24 pm

Traveled up to Sioux Falls this afternoon via the Blair to Missouri Valley I-29 —- I was really surprised that was very little water sitting in the fields on Hwy 30 like there in 2011.

now the Big Sioux around Sioux Falls is suppose to have a peak tomorrow but friends say there is still a lot of snow in NE SDak that still needs to melt

Also a cousin who lives in Pierre say the Missouri is still pretty much frozen over up there so that is more water coming this way.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Tue Mar 26, 2019 12:51 pm

The Corps of Engineers increased the release to 27,000 CFS at Gavins Pont yesterday, Monday 3/25/2019.

https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local ... a5145.html

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 5:08 pm

What's the flooding like now? It must be going down by now, right? Any tornado watches yet?

GrandpaaSmucker · Post by **GrandpaaSmucker** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:41 pm

RockHarbor wrote: Sat Mar 30, 2019 5:08 pm What's the flooding like now? It must be going down by now, right? Any tornado watches yet?

Front page of todays paper had a story about a 61 yr old lady who just had a baby. The other big story was about how the flood damaged the sewer plant and we have now been shooting millions of gallons of raw sewage into the river everyday for two weeks. They hope to get the sewer plant working again in a week or a month or two. Kansas City we apologize. Black Water they call it.

advcomp2019 · Post by **advcomp2019** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 10:52 pm

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:03 am Check out this strange tour of the flooded area of Omaha by Utube star FOOLIGAN. He supposedly has 1 million Utube followers watching his vids that he makes of him and his buddies cruising around Omaha on dirt bikes.
[youtube][/youtube]

Gromie Bear did a video too. He did use his drone too. He is another Youtuber from Omaha too.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 1:11 am

RockHarbor wrote: Sat Mar 30, 2019 5:08 pm What's the flooding like now? It must be going down by now, right? Any tornado watches yet?

I can't comment on the state of the flooding, but there's been no indication of any severe weather happening any time soon. Some of us have heard a few rumbles of thunder in the few weeks past, but there hasn't been a whimper of real severe weather yet.

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 3:55 am

No severe weather yet and March is almost over? I guess growing up that did happen some years... Technically spring doesnt start until March 21st., so I guess it is understandable. Thanks (to both of you) for the update on the flooding...

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 7:02 am

RockHarbor wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 3:55 am Technically spring doesnt start until March 31st

Spring started Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 4:58 P.M. CDT

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:35 am

RockHarbor wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 3:55 am No severe weather yet and March is almost over?

I think its normal. I mean, half the month it's still winter... Cant expect a lot this early. Anything we get in March is just a bonus. I always forget to keep perspective; Our sever weather comes later, as our most active month is June.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:06 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:35 am Anything we get in March is just a bonus. I always forget to keep perspective; Our sever weather comes later, as our most active month is June.

I don’t know that I’d use the word “bonus”, lol..

But I agree. Growing up here in Omaha, clearly, the most active severe weather months are May and June.. Sometimes April. But much less common for March. In fact, I can’t remember the last time Omaha had a Tornado watch or warning in the month of March..

Further south of us, in Oklahoma, the severe weather season is much more active in March and April...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:40 am

Uffda wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 7:02 am
RockHarbor wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 3:55 am Technically spring doesnt start until March 31st
Spring started Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 4:58 P.M. CDT

I meant to type March 21st. The minute I saw that typo this morning, I jumped to correct it. (However, I now see your entry after correcting it, and I see I would have been wrong anyways... I always thought the official season changes happened on the 21st of the month, each quarter.)

Yes, March is often a lot of cold & rain & snow in Omaha, and then that type weather is off & on through April, and things are usually green (or greening up finally) by May 1st. (A tornado can happen in March in Omaha, though, of course. The 1913 tornado did, and small 1975 one also. I remember the tornado sirens sounding in Omaha in March 2009, too.) What I dont get is: With this global warming/climate change, why isnt the tornado season setting in earlier in Omaha? I would think that would occur in Omaha, plus more tornadoes further north up into Canada.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:54 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:06 am I can’t remember the last time Omaha had a Tornado watch or warning in the month of March..

I don't remember the last time we were under a tornado watch, period -- must have been at least two-three years -- let alone one in March or April.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:57 am

Busguy2010 wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:54 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 10:06 am I can’t remember the last time Omaha had a Tornado watch or warning in the month of March..
I don't remember the last time we were under a tornado watch, period -- must have been at least two-three years -- let alone one in March or April.

I think you’re right on that, lol..

It’s been unusually quiet on the severe weather front in the Omaha area the past couple of Springs for sure...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

RockHarbor · Post by **RockHarbor** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:03 am

And, thats one reason I gladly moved away. There's no exciting weather around there much anymore... (I'm not talking I want a tornado to hit. Im talking the fun of watching the weather on a porch or deck.)

The tornado sirens sounded and a tornado watch & warning was issued back in 2017 with that Bellevue tornado, btw.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:06 am

image.jpeg

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:11 am

RockHarbor wrote: Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:03 am The tornado sirens sounded and a tornado watch & warning was issued back in 2017 with that Bellevue tornado, btw.

There was a watch for that one?

I was out of town for that and still kinda regret not being home for that one.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Sun Mar 31, 2019 11:15 am

Fewer tornadoes are hitting Nebraska as the deadly storms shift east, researchers say

image.jpeg