64 topographic sheets cover 27 settlements here, and 226 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.
226 National Register listings published here, 2 of them National Historic Landmarks · the county-history sources tell 1 story and name 467 people · people the book names include Louis E. Adams (Omaha City, 1917) (machine-read).
Sources: the county history on the Internet Archive · the National Register database, National Park Service
Among them: Urban B. Balcombe. These passages come from the identified county-history source books. Each inset names its own source and opens the exact section it comes from.
Urban B. Balcombe, who died at Excelsior Springs, Missouri, March 7, 191 7, was born in Elgin, Illinois,' in 1852. His father. Saint A. D. Balcombe, removed with his family to Omaha from Winona, Minnesota, July 5, 1865. He had formerly been agent for the captured Sioux and Winnebago Indians and in 1863 removed them to St.
Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.
Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 134 of them, burning about 751 acres. None started naturally and none was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 71 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 24 |
| Recreation and ceremony | 9 |
| Smoking | 7 |
| Fireworks | 7 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 7 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 5 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 4 |
The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 March 2009 | Debris and open burning | 250 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 29 January 2014 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 150 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 5 May 2018 | Debris and open burning | 80 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 27 October 2010 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 62 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 19 March 2011 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 21 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 2 April 2011 | Debris and open burning | 20 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 30 June 2001 | Debris and open burning | 15 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
| 16 March 2017 | Debris and open burning | 15 acres | Nebraska Forest Service | not named |
Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.
The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 1,022 reports for this county, causing 7 deaths, 184 injuries and about $883,238,030 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.
| Kind of event | Reports |
|---|---|
| Hail | 488 |
| Thunderstorm Wind | 382 |
| Flash Flood | 55 |
| Flood | 32 |
| Lightning | 30 |
| Tornado | 23 |
| Heavy Rain | 8 |
| Funnel Cloud | 4 |
The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1975 | Tornado (F4) | not stated | 3 killed, 118 hurt, $250,000,000 | no account filed |
| August 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Waterloo | 1 killed, 1 hurt, $3,810,000 | A highly damaging swath of severe thunderstorm winds moved across Douglas County, Nebraska, predominantly impacting the western and northern parts of the county, including the Omaha metropolitan area on the morning on August 9th, 2025. ||The storm produced damaging wind gusts, with the highest being an estimated 100 mph reported by broadcast media southwest of Washington at 04:52 CST. Multiple locations experienced estimated and measured gusts of 90 mph or higher. An estimated 95 mph gust was reported in Bennington, also responsible for destroying a shed. An estimated 95 mph gust and snapped power poles south of Valley. An estimated 95 mph gust and snapped trees with large diameters north-northeast of Elkhorn. Measured gusts by NWS employees up to 90 mph near Valley.||Tragically, significant impacts occurred east-southeast of Yutan at 04:55 CST when an estimated 90 mph gust uprooted a very large tree (approximately two feet in diameter) that fell onto a vehicle, resulting in one fatality and one injury. Widespread structural and tree damage impacted parts of the area. In Bennington, damage reports included the destruction of a shed and large snapped tree branches. Near Elkhorn, a large tree fell onto a truck and minivan. North-northeast of Valley, there was damage to a roof, resulting in insulation blown across the road, and an overturned semi-truck. The severe winds also downed power lines southwest of Washington and destroyed a boat canopy southeast of Washington.||The property damage to public infrastructure across Douglas County from these severe winds is estimated to be $3,810,332.00. This figure reflects only the costs associated with repairing public assets and does not account for the extensive damage sustained by private and commercial properties throughout Saline County. |
| August 1999 | Flash Flood | Omaha | 1 killed, $11,000,000 | Record setting rainfall caused extensive flooding over the Omaha Nebraska and Council Bluffs Iowa metro area and surrounding counties. Rainfall at Eppley Airfield in Omaha totaled 10.46 inches for the 24 hour period ending at 3 am cst 8/7/99, this was the most rainfall recorded in a 24 hour period in Omaha since 1900. The rain fell roughly in two periods, the first lasting from noon through 5 pm cst Friday 8/6/99 and the second beginning Friday evening around 7 pm cst continuing through 3 am Saturday morning. The heaviest rain was mainly confined to the eastern part of Omaha and into Pottawattamie county Iowa with amounts in the 8 to over 10 inch range. Rainfall tapered down in western Douglas county. Aksarben, located in the central part of Omaha, reported around 7 inches, Boystown on the western fringes of Omaha had a little over 5 inches while the NWS office in Valley, in the extreme western part of Douglas county, only received around 2.5 inches. The rain caused extensive flooding along Cole Creek in the east central part of Omaha where 1 man drowned after his basement wall washed out carrying him 40 yards downstream. Other flooding was observed along the Big Papillion Creek where two golf courses and a nursery received substantial damage. The Metro Area Transit Headquarters was hit by an 8 foot wall of water which flooded equipment and numerous buses, and caused around 4.5 million dollars of damage alone. More than 1000 homes, 8 apartment complexes and over 30 businesses sustained significant damage from flooding with total damage between 6.5 million and 11 million dollars. The Big Papillion Creek at Fort Street in Omaha reached 24.8 feet in the morning of 8/7/99, flood stage is 23 feet, while the Little Papillion Creet at Irvington reached 18.1 feet. Flood stage at Irvington is 16.0 feet. Flooded basements, some with collapsed walls, and damaged vehicles appeared to have borne the brunt of the damage in the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro area. Douglas, Burt and Washington counties of east central Nebraska were declared Federal disaster areas. |
| July 2004 | Flash Flood | Omaha | 1 killed | Heavy rainfall in the Omaha metropolitan area caused areas of flash flooding, especially near the Saddle Creek and Center Streets area, near the intersections of 96th and Q Streets, 17th and Ames Avenue and 108th and Q streets. It was near that last location where a 29-year-old male apparently drowned after his car became stalled in flood waters and he was swept away in a nearby drainage ditch as he was walking for help. His body was found more than 20 miles downstream in the Missouri River after it was surmised that his body traveled from the ditch into the Big Papillion Creek and then eventually into the Missouri River. Other flooding occurred when a pool of water 6 feet high developed near the Saddle Creek location carrying off a few vehicles and flooding at least one apartment complex. Several businesses were flooded and sewers backed up into properties. Eppley Airfield reported 2.66 inches of rain from the storm in just a several hour period, while some locations in midtown Omaha received almost 3.5 inches of rain. |
| July 2001 | Lightning | Omaha | 1 killed | A 46 year old man was killed when lightning struck him while he was riding alone on a bike trail in central Omaha. The lightning came from a high based thunderstorm that was producing occasional cloud to ground lighting but little rainfall as it tracked east across the city. |
| June 1976 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | 23 hurt, $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| August 1987 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | 12 hurt | no account filed |
| July 1988 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | 11 hurt | no account filed |
| March 1975 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | 4 hurt, $250,000 | no account filed |
| April 2024 | Tornado (EF4) | Waterloo | 3 hurt | This tornado developed about one quarter mile west of the West Q Road and 255th Street intersection in Western Douglas county where trees were knocked down and a farmstead sustained outbuilding damage. The tornado continued northeast crossing agricultural fields and flipping numerous center pivots, eventually crossing 252nd Street. The tornado caused EF-2 damage as it approached Highway 92, damaging numerous homes and striking an acreage northwest of the Highway 92 (West Center street) and Highway 275 intersection. Several center pivots were overturned as the tornado continued northeast crossing east of Highway 275, causing EF-2 damage to several acreages, homes, and outbuildings along Highway 275/240th Street. Continuing northeast, the tornado crossed 234th Street near Harney Street where it damaged a horse farm and an acreage as well as a home along Dodge Street/Highway 6 before crossing Dodge Street causing roof and outbuilding damage at the Junkstock Farm. The tornado crossed the Elkhorn River, damaging trees and flipping center pivots in an acreage along Blondo Street just south of the railroad tracks. The tornado continued into the western part of Elkhorn approximately one-half mile south-southwest of the intersection of West Maple Road and 216th Street. One home sustained high-end EF-2 damage losing large sections of its roofs. Another home just to the north had total destruction of the structure, resulting in EF-4 damage. The tornado moved across Prospect Hills Cemetery, damaging headstones, and moved across West Maple Avenue severely damaging a landscape business before entering the Ramblewood subdivision. Numerous homes in the subdivision received EF-3 damage with only small interior rooms standing. EF-3 damage persisted as the tornado continued north-northeastward damaging homes between 212th Street and Kestrel Parkway, again leaving only interior rooms standing. Two homes at the intersection of North 212th Street and Larimor Avenue were completely destroyed, resulting in a second instance of EF-4 damage. The tornado then crossed Fort Street about one-third of a mile east of 216th Street, causing the collapse of new development homes. This damage was also consistent with that of an EF-3 tornado. The tornado then veered to the northeast across mainly rural areas of northwestern Douglas County, between Fort Street and Military Road. By the time the tornado crossed Highway 31, it reached its peak width of 1 mile wide. EF-1 damage was noted in this area with several power poles and trees snapped. The tornado narrowed to about one-half mile wide and moved into residential development just northwest of the intersection of 180th Street and Military Road, where EF-1 damage was observed due to loss of roofs. The tornado then moved into Benningtons Newport Landing neighborhood, causing high-end EF-2 damage by removing large sections of several home's roofs and collapsing some exterior walls. The tornado then moved across Bennington Lake, crossing just west of the intersection of Highway 36 and 168th Street, snapping the tops off of numerous trees. It then moved across agricultural land, damaging farm outbuildings southeast of the intersection of 168th Street and Dutch Hall Road, before crossing into Washington County. All walls of this home were collapsed. However, the walls were not attached to the foundation in a way that would discriminate between EF-3 and EF-4 damage. Thus, high-end EF-3 damage was determined. Peak estimated winds for this segment of the tornado's track were at 170 miles per hour. The maximum width of the tornado in this segment was 1450 yards, with an average width of approximately 900 yards. |
| June 2008 | Tornado (EF2) | Omaha Millard Arpt | 3 hurt | This is the continuation of tornado number 1 (of 2) to hit the Omaha metro area this night. Tornado number 1 crossed over from Sarpy county near 144th and Harrison Streets before merging with tornado number 2 just east of 132nd and Westwood Lane. From there the merged tornado continued northeast to near 114th and Shirley Streets. Tornado number 1 traveled at about 50 mph in Douglas county. Tornado number 1 produced EF2 damage in both Douglas and Sarpy counties. Although tree and roof damage was noted along most of the track, the area hardest hit in Douglas county was around 137th and Y Streets. A few homes had their roofs completely blown off in this area, while others had significant roof and siding damage. The tornado then hit a Walmart, Sams Club and Home Depot causing damage to each of those businesses after it crossed L Street.||Tornado number 1 first set down just southeast of 232nd and West Angus Road about a mile west of Gretna in Sarpy county. It traveled about 8 miles in Sarpy county before crossing into Douglas county.||The tornadoes spun up on the leading edge of a bow echo that gathered strength and raced through the Omaha metropolitan region. OPPD reported that 13,800 customers lost power from the storm. In total, more than 500 homeowners reported damage from the storm and according to FEMA, 7 homes were destroyed and 21 others sustained major damage. |
| May 2004 | Lightning | Omaha | 2 hurt | Lightning struck 2 men near Zorinsky Lake, seriously injuring 1. |
| April 2001 | Hail | Omaha | 1 hurt, $300,000,000 | no account filed |
| June 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | (Ovn)Wsfo Omaha | 1 hurt | A series of downbursts within a thunderstorm began to produce significant ground-level winds near I-680 and HWY 133, progressing rapidly to the east southeast, uprooting trees and downing powerlines at many locations. Portions of Pershing, Birdsley, and Dogwood roads had to be temporarily closed due to downed trees and powerlines. It was reported that more than 30,000 were without power at one point. Numerous large trees were broken in Oakland, some landing on homes. The ASOS at Omaha Eppley Airport recorded a 90 mph wind gust, and damage was consistent with 80 to 100 mph wind gusts. There was one report of a hospitalization due to injuries resulting from a tree falling into one of the resident's bedroom. |
| August 2011 | Hail | Omaha | 1 hurt | Hail up to softball-size fell across sections of northern and eastern Omaha from the first of 2 super-cell thunderstorms that tracked across the city on the 18th. The largest hail fell across the Florence area, where hailstones reached 3 inches in diameter, toward Eppley Airfield where some softball size stones fell. The hail was accompanied by thunderstorm wind gusts that were measured at 62 mph by Asos at Eppley. The wind driven hail caused substantial damage to vehicles and houses in eastern and northern Omaha and many cars that were parked in outdoor long-term parking at Eppley had their windows broken out by the first storm then soaked by heavy rain from the second. Also at Eppley several commercial planes sustained hail damage and a pilot was seriously injured around his eye when a softball-size stone crashed through the passenger gate/ramp leading to a plane at the gate. Around 270 of 600 decorative globe light along a drive toward the airport were shattered by the hail and wind, resulting in damage of around $500,000. Hail size was smaller and possibly even absent across the western and southwestern parts of town. According to State Farm, the largest auto insurer in Nebraska, 1,600 claims were made within a few days of the storm with more likely to follow, with most claims from the Omaha area. |
| June 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Elk City | 1 hurt | Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at over 65 mph downed trees from near Bennington toward 72nd Street and Highway 36. Three vehicles were hit by falling trees resulting in one minor injury in the 72nd Street area where in one-quarter mile stretch numerous trees were downed across the road. Some sheds were blown away or destroyed in the Bennington area. Other trees were downed in the Highway 36 and 132nd Street area. Tree damage was observed a mile or two either side of Highway 36 from the storm. |
| July 2004 | Lightning | Omaha | 1 hurt | A woman was slightly injured when lightning struck the ground near where she was standing. |
| June 1997 | Lightning | Omaha Eppley Arpt | 1 hurt | Man struck by lightning while in doorway of home. |
| August 1987 | Thunderstorm Wind | not stated | 1 hurt | no account filed |
| April 2001 | Hail | Omaha | $200,000,000 | no account filed |
| June 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Mercer | $53,000,000 | This is a continuation of the damage path from the bow echo that started in Dodge and Saunders county to the west. The damage path in Douglas county was about 5 to 7 miles wide and a NWS storm survey estimated winds of at least 70 mph and in some cases up to 100 to 115 mph. Wind equipment at the NWS office just outside of Valley measured 77 mph winds at 434 pm CDT just before the equipment failed. Meteorologists there estimated winds exceeded 80 mph at the office. The Awos at the Millard airport, just south of the severe damage swath, measured a wind gust of 59 mph at 450 pm. ||The damage path crossed into the county from the Woodcliff area south of Fremont and spread toward and then just north of the Elkhorn area. In the Valley area trees were damaged or uprooted, a fireworks tent and its contents were destroyed, farm outbuildings were heavily damaged and center pivots were flipped. A house also lost its roof and crops were flattened or shredded to the ground. In western Douglas county several barns were destroyed or severely damage, including a few that caused severe injuries to livestock that necessitated euthanization. The damage swath then continued across west Omaha where 2 houses near 180th and Maple Streets sustained serious damage due to garage failures. Tree and power pole damage continued toward the 132nd and Maple Street intersection where more substantial damage was noted, including a damaged canopy at a gas station and a swath of broken light and power poles. That intersection was to remain closed then for the next 2 or 3 days while the poles were repaired or replaced and power restored. The damage path then continued through the Dundee area where more substantial tree damage was noted due to the concentration of larger and older trees. Finally the damage continued into downtown Omaha with damage noted to the outside of the Qwest Sports/Convention Center. Across the entire path, tree, home and other outside building or fence damage was observed or reported.||In all over 125,000 OPPD customers lost power, in some cases for a week or so. OPPD officials stated that it was one of the worst storms in its history, rivaling an early wet snowstorm in late October of 1997. Damage claims in the Omaha area alone was estimated to have reached $40 million from residents and between $2.6 million and $3.7 million from city property. OPPD was estimated to have sustained $10 million in damage, mostly in Douglas county. |
| July 2024 | Thunderstorm Wind | Waterloo | $35,000,000 | A line of intense thunderstorms swept across the entirety of Douglas County, impacting the largest metropolitan area in the Omaha NWS County Warning Area. As these storms entered the western part of the county, 80 miles per hour wind gusts were likely being produced, with a 76 miles per hour wind gust measured at the Omaha National Weather Service, and a 75 miles per hour wind gust measured by a mesonet station in west Millard. As the storms moved east across the county, the winds continued to intensify with widespread significant damage to trees, powerlines, and structures. In Waterloo, a roof was blown off of a commercial building, and in Midtown, a storefront awning and front faade was completely destroyed. Wind gusts in the area were measured as high as 90 miles per hour, both by the Eppley Airfield ASOS and a mesonet station in Bennington. As such, straight line winds were estimated to be as high as 100 miles per hour with these storms as they moved through the Omaha metro. Power outages lasted for a week in some areas of the county, with OPPD estimated approximately 20 million dollars in damage in the county. Total damages from these storms are estimated to be 35 million in Douglas county alone. |
| August 2011 | Flood | East Omaha | $5,000,000 | Flooding along the Missouri River in Douglas county gradually worsened during June and moderate flooding persisted into August as record releases from Gavins Point Dam brought widespread flooding along the River. Initially the high releases were due to heavy rain and snow melt, but as the summer wore on persistent heavy rain events above Sioux City and some lingering snow melt in the higher elevations of the rockies kept the reservoir system full and with high releases. At Omaha the river climbed to around its 29 foot flood stage late in May and rose steadily through June reaching around 35 feet late in the month, briefly crossed 36 feet in early July before settling back to around 34 feet in early to mid August. By the end of August decreasing outflows from Gavins Point Dam had allowed the river near Omaha to drop to around 31 feet. The flooding in Douglas county along the Missouri River closed several parks, boating accesses, and recreational areas. Low areas around downtown on the river side of the federal levee were flooded. The high water and persistent pressure on levees forced Eppley airfield and other businesses to constantly monitor the situation and have pumps on standby as either rains, storm sewer backups or minor boils near the levee would force pumping of the water back over the levee. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimated to have spent a little over $2 million on levee repair/work in Omaha alone for the event. By the end of August the city of Omaha's tab for the flood fight had totaled $10 million. Minor flooding persisted into mid September. |
| June 2011 | Flood | East Omaha | $3,000,000 | Flooding along the Missouri River gradually worsened during June as record releases from Gavins Point Dam brought widespread flooding along the river. At Omaha the river climbed to around its 29 foot flood stage late in May and rose steadily through June reaching around 35 feet late in the month. The flooding in Douglas county along the Missouri River closed several parks, boating accesses, and recreational areas. Low areas around downtown on the river side of the Levee began flooding when a flood wall was installed. The south Omaha waste water treatment plant was forced to send 6 million gallons of waste water daily into the river early in June due to flood waters affecting the facility. The high water and persistent pressure on levees forced Eppley Airfield and other businesses to constantly monitor the situation and have pumps on standby as either rains, storm sewer backups or minor boils near the levee would force pumping of the water back over the levee. By June 22nd Eppley had already spent 2.5 million dollars on flood prevention. Burlington Northern had to shut down one of its tracks to allow it to be used as a levee, this forced Amtrak to close that link of service. The flooding persisted into July. |
| May 1988 | Tornado (F2) | not stated | $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| August 1968 | Tornado (F3) | not stated | $2,500,000 | no account filed |
| June 2010 | Flood | Elk City | $2,000,000 | Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12, including 1 to 2 inch 24 hour amounts ending 7am the 12th. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River. High water or flooding was prolonged by additional rains the week after 6/12. In Douglas county especially hard hit was the Kings Lake area north of Waterloo where 160 homes and cabins sustained flood damage and at least 23 homes were declared unfit or unsafe, mainly due to septic tanks backing up. Flooding closed roads into Kings Lake and also closed Highway 36 west of Elk City for a while. A man drove around a barricade and into flood waters near 252nd and State Streets and was rescued by a sheriff's deputy who broke out his car window. Although the man suffered from hypothermia, the injuries were not life threatening. County roads and farmland along the river were also flooded. The Elkhorn River at Waterloo crested at a near record around 18.7 feet during the late evening of 6/14, flood stage is 17 feet and the record is just over 19 feet. A levee protected much of Waterloo, but recreation areas along the river were flooded. The river at Waterloo was above flood stage from the late afternoon of June 13th until the early morning hours of the 16th, although some flooding likely started earlier and lasted a little longer in the northwest part of the county. |
| August 2005 | Lightning | Omaha | $2,000,000 | Lightning struck a midtown Omaha holiday decorating business starting a fire which quickly destroyed it. The storm responsible for the damage rolled across the city and produced a large number of cloud-to-ground lightning strokes as well as dropping at least 1 to 2 inches of rain on a large part of the metro area. There was over 15,000 lightning strikes, including cloud-to-ground stikes, in a four-county radius of Omaha according to the Omaha World Herald this night. |
| July 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Omaha | $2,000,000 | A large bowing line of thunderstorms moved through the Omaha area bringing very strong winds and causing areas of substantial tree damage. A wind gust of 59 mph was recorded by Asos at Eppley Airfield at 1229 am cdt, while a wind gust of 84 mph was recorded on top of a building in downtown Omaha at 1233 am cdt and a 75 mph gust was recorded on a building on the Creighton campus at 1240 am cdt. OPPD estimated that cleanup expenses alone were around $200,000, with damage estimated at around 1.5 million dollars. At the peak, 60,000 customers were without power, some for the better part of a week. Many cars at several parking lots near the airport had their side windows broke out, probably due to the strong winds and the temperature contrast of a cool rain falling on cars which had sat out in the sun all day. The temperature when the rain and wind came through fell from the lower 80s down to the lower to mid 60s. This line of storms originated in northeast Nebraska from around Antelope, Pierce and Cedar counties and then bowed southeast causing the areas of extensive tree damage across counties in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa that night. In Omaha, much of the tree and house damage was in the central and eastern sections of the city where larger trees existed. |
| September 2011 | Flood | (3no)North Omaha Arp | $1,000,000 | Flooding along the Missouri River in Douglas county, which had gradually worsened during June and July, started moderating in late August as releases from Gavins Point Dam were reduced. The river finally dropped below flood stage around Sept. 12th, although releases were slowed for several weeks in mid September to keep levees from sloughing off from too fast of a water drop. So although river levels had dropped below flood stage at Omaha by mid month, they were still high enough so that some minor overflows continued for much of September across a few of the normally flooded areas near the river. Earlier in the summer the river at Omaha had crested around 36 feet and had closed several parks, boating accesses, and recreational areas. Low areas around downtown on the river side of the federal levee were also flooded. By the end of August Omaha's tab for the flood fight had totaled $10 million, this was in addition to levee damage and money Eppley spent for flood control. |
| May 2007 | Heavy Rain | Valley | $1,000,000 | Record heavy rain fell over most of Douglas county from Friday May 4th through late Sunday night May 6th. Eppley airfield measured 7.46 inches while 4.39 inches was recorded at the NWS office in Valley. The heavy rain caused widespread ponding of water throughout Douglas county and caused some sewers to backup across the Omaha area. Most of the streets that were flooded because of the backed up sewers were in the older eastern sections of the city. Many basements were also flooded throughout town. In addition, 100 vehicles were flooded at the Eppley Airport north long-term parking lot due to backed up storm drains. |
| May 2001 | Hail | Omaha | $1,000,000 | This thunderstorm produced very large hail from around the Florence area toward Eppley Airfield then into the Council Bluffs, Iowa area. Hail up to nearly 3 inches in diameter caused considerable damage around Eppley Airfield with 20 commercial and private aircraft sustaining significant damage. Some of the aircraft had 5 inch diameter holes punched through control surfaces. In addition, 150 vehicles parked in outdoor parking facilities sustained substantial damage including windows knocked out. Total storm damage estimates were around $500,000 at Eppley Airfield alone. The storm also caused significant damage in that part of Council Bluffs directly south of the airport. |
| March 2019 | Flood | Elk City | $950,000 | This is for flooding along the Platte River. The river gage at Leshara, operated by the USGS, peaked at 12.38 feet at 8 am on March 15th. Minor flood stage is 8 feet, moderate flood stage is 10 feet while major flood stage is 12 feet. Preliminary this peak is the highest on record. Ice jamming also played a role in the flooding at this location. The net effect of this flooding was overwhelmed by the high water that immediately proceeded any river ice movement. Another factor along this part of the river was a levee break at Union Dike just downstream of Fremont. This led to the evacuation of Valley and surrounding areas. Damage estimate for Union Dike is from the Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District. |
| July 2011 | Flood | East Omaha | $500,000 | Flooding along the Missouri River gradually worsened during June and persisted into July as record releases from Gavins Point Dam brought widespread flooding along the River. At Omaha the river climbed to around its 29 foot flood stage late in May and rose steadily through June reaching around 35 feet late in the month, briefly crossed 36 feet in early July before settling back to around 35 feet except for a second peak of around 36 feet around July 24th. The flooding in Douglas county along the Missouri River closed several parks, boating accesses, and recreational areas. Low areas around downtown on the river side of the federal levee were flooded. The south Omaha waste water treatment plant was forced to send 6 million gallons of waste water daily into the river beginning early in June due to flood waters affecting the facility. The high water and persistent pressure on levees forced Eppley airfield and other businesses to constantly monitor the situation and have pumps on standby as either rains, storm sewer backups or minor boils near the levee would force pumping of the water back over the levee. By June 22nd Eppley had already spent 2.5 million dollars on flood prevention. Burlington Northern had to shut down one of its tracks to allow it to be used as a levee, this forced Amtrak to close that link of service. The flooding persisted into August. |
| May 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Omaha | $500,000 | Thunderstorm wind gusts that were measured at 62 mph by the Omaha Eppley Asos caused scattered tree...fence and building damage in Omaha. Most of the reports of tree damage were on the western or northern sections of town and included a 30 year-old ash that fell on a house north of Dodge Park, a large maple tree that fell on a home near 24th and Vane Street, a 60-foot evergreen that fell onto a house and car near 38th and Cuming Streets, 4 to 6 inch limbs downed near 210th and Maple and 10 inch tree limbs downed near 32nd and Tucker. A construction crane was blown over onto a performing arts building downtown causing $300,000 worth of damage. OPPD reported that around 13,000 customers lost their power from the storms. |
| July 1995 | Hail | I480 Downtown | $300,000 | no account filed |
| March 2011 | Hail | Valley | $250,000 | Hail up to golf ball-size fell for around 5 minutes in the Valley area including at the NWS office near town. The hail was driven by winds estimated at least at 50 mph and caused extensive vehicle and property damage at the NWS office and to homes around a golf course near town. The damage to the Vehicles alone at the NWS was over $100,000. Damage to property and vehicles near the golf course and to homes in Valley was probably well in excess of $100,000. |
| October 2007 | Lightning | Omaha | $250,000 | Lightning caused a fire to house near 153rd and Ida Streets in far northwest Omaha. The fire damaged the roof and second floor with the first floor and basement sustaining significant smoke and water damage. The total damage was estimated at $250,000. |
| May 1956 | Tornado (F1) | not stated | $250,000 | no account filed |
| May 2024 | Flash Flood | South Omaha | $200,000 | Shortly after 4:30 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm moved into the Omaha metro from the west bringing with it gusty winds, small hail and heavy rain. This slow moving thunderstorm remained over the Omaha metro for over an hour before weakening and slowly moving east into Iowa. Light rain behind this storm continued until around 6:15 PM CDT. There were public reports of stalled cars in flooded roadways south of Dodge Street and west of Interstate 480. There was also a report from amateur radio of flooding making Farnam Street south of Turner Boulevard impassible. |
| May 1996 | Hail | Elkhorn | $200,000 | no account filed |
| April 2001 | Lightning | Elkhorn | $165,000 | Lightning struck the north corner of the roof over the garage starting a fire. Most of the damage was attributed to smoke and water. |
| May 2024 | Flash Flood | East Omaha | $150,000 | Following several rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rain which resulted in flash flooding across the Omaha metro, flood waters continued to linger through the morning of the 21st. Broadcast Media reported multiple stalled vehicles at Center and 67th Street. |
| April 2007 | Lightning | Omaha | $150,000 | A lightning striked caused an estimated $150,000 in damage to a house near 164th and Page Streets. Firefighters arrived at around 5 am CDT and found flames on the roof. The fire spread down a wall and caused considerable damage to the basement. No injuries were reported. |
| July 2000 | Lightning | Elkhorn | $150,000 | A lightning strike and resultant fire caused 150 thousand dollars worth of damage to an Elkhorn church. |
| May 1998 | Lightning | Irvington | $150,000 | Lightning struck a home causing severe damage. |
| April 2025 | Flash Flood | Benson | $100,000 | During the late afternoon hours of April 24, 2025, a supercell tracked over the Omaha metropolitan area, with rainfall totals of 2.5 to 3.5 inches along a swath from Ralston in SW Omaha through northwestern Pottawattamie County led to flash flooding in portions of Omaha. Considerable flooding was reported in the Saddle Creek area with water up to the windows of vehicles and dumpsters floating. |
| May 2024 | Flash Flood | Boys Town | $100,000 | Several rounds of thunderstorms during the early morning hours across the Omaha metro brought flash flooding to parts of the metro. The first reports of flash flooding came in just before 6:30 in the morning near Maple and 132nd Street. An additional report of flooded streets was received west of Carter Lake near the Sorensen and Fontenelle intersection. Water was also reported over a road in Boys Town. |
| May 2016 | Flash Flood | Elkhorn | $100,000 | A couple rounds of heavy thunderstorms produced areas of flash flooding in mainly the northwest and western parts of the Omaha metro area. The initial thunderstorm produced several inches of hail accumulation that clogged city drains and also contributed to the flooding. Additional heavy thunderstorms during the early morning created street flooding closing many streets for the morning rush hour including Maple Street where the West Papillion Creek flooded its banks. |
| June 2014 | Flash Flood | Omaha | $100,000 | Significant urban flash flooding occurred in parts of northeast Omaha from a heavy supercell that moved slowly across the area. The flooding included numerous street and intersections flooded, Saddle Creek Steet was flooded and closed from Farnam to Davenport streets. Water rescues were performed by the Omaha Fire Department near the intersection of 42nd and Dalhnman. |
| April 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Bennington | $100,000 | no account filed |
| April 2010 | Lightning | West Benson | $90,000 | Lightning struck a tree which then caught fire and spread to a nearby house nearly destroying it. The house was in the 2600 block of North 45th Street. |
| June 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Valley | $80,000 | no account filed |
| May 2024 | Flash Flood | Elkhorn | $75,000 | The intersection of 180th and Maple was completely covered in water, with some vehicles having difficulty driving. Low-lying roads to the north of Dodge and 204th are covered with water but not all the way up to the gutters. Some cars were having trouble driving through the street. Ponding was also reported on the eastbound side of Dodge Street in Boy's Town. Further east just after 1 in the morning, two cars were reported stuck in the water in northeast Douglas County. |
| August 2010 | Lightning | Boys Town | $70,000 | A lightning strike caused a house fire in northwest Omaha. |
| April 2007 | Lightning | Omaha | $60,000 | A lightning striked caused an estimated $60,000 in damage to a house near the 2600 block of 125th Circle. Firefighters arrived around 1030 am CDT and found flames on the roof. The fire caused extensive damage to the upper level of the house and the rest of the house sustained moderate smoke and water damage. No injuries were reported. |
| June 2024 | Flood | East Omaha | $50,000 | Excessive rainfall across much of eastern South Dakota resulted in river flooding along the Missouri River at the end of June. Moderate flood stage was observed along the Missouri, with two Omaha river gauges cresting between 32.5 and 33.0 feet. Flood stage for this stretch of the Missouri is 27 feet. |
| August 2011 | Flash Flood | Delbot | $50,000 | Rainfall of 2 to 5+ inches fell in a narrow band across northern and eastern Omaha. The heavy rain caused flash flooding of downtown area streets prompting their closure. The flooding also forced evacuations of at least 2 businesses in the downtown area. |
| July 2004 | Lightning | Omaha | $50,000 | Lightning struck a fireworks display setting off 50 thousand dollars worth of fireworks just before the beginning of a west Omaha display show. |
| July 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Ralston | $50,000 | no account filed |
The Survey's mineral resources record lists 5 workings inside this county. 4 still produce and 1 is closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.
| Commodity | Workings |
|---|---|
| Sand and Gravel, Construction | 2 |
| Perlite | 1 |
| Lead, Refiner | 1 |
| Silver, Antimony, Bismuth, Gold | 1 |
| Lead, Smelter | 1 |
The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.
| Where | Site | Commodity | Status | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Facility) Omaha Refinery | Lead, Refiner, Silver, Antimony, Bismuth, Gold | Plant | ||
| Asarco (Omaha) Refinery | Lead, Smelter | Past Producer | ||
| Zonolite Perlite Plant | Perlite | Producer | ||
| Hartford Sand & Gravel Pits 1a & 1b | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer | ||
| Lyman-Richey Sand & Gravel Corp. | Sand and Gravel, Construction | Producer |
Omaha: the Gate City, and Douglas County, Nebraska; devotes a chapter to each township: its boundaries and streams, who settled it and when, the mills, the schools and the churches. The one chapter is reproduced here in full. Each row shows the township's own shape and where it lies in the county, drawn from the Census Bureau's boundary. Which settlements belong to which township is computed from that same boundary, not taken from the book.
| Shape and position in the county | Township | Settlements in it | Length | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha City | Beechwood, Boys Town, Debolt, East Omaha, Elkhorn, Garden Valley Courts, Green Meadows, Home Park, Lane, Maplewood Estates, Millard, Omaha, Skyline, South Omaha | 405,514 words | 550 |
Everyone Omaha: the Gate City, and Douglas County, Nebraska; stops to write about, with the section that describes them. Among them are the men who founded the place and governed the Territory. Each name opens the passage itself, in the words of 1917.
Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.
Jefferson precinct · 68007 · On Hanover Creek · Elkhorn quadrangle
17 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Elkhorn precinct · 68064 · On South Washington Creek · Valley quadrangle
16 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Union precinct · 68122 · On Glenbrook Creek · Irvington quadrangle
18 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Platte Valley precinct · 68064 · On Big Slough · Valley quadrangle
16 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Omaha city · 68164 · On Champions Creek · Irvington quadrangle
18 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Chicago precinct · 68118 · On Old Lincoln Highway Creek · Elkhorn quadrangle
17 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Douglas precinct · 68127 · On Mockingbird Creek · Ralston quadrangle
18 sheets, 1893 to 1982
Block
