Book Review: Omaha's Easter Tornado of 1913

 Omaha's Easter Tornado of 1913: Images of America. by Travis Sing, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina, 2003.

A very informative book of what took place in Omaha Easter Sunday March 23, 1913 in the early evening.  As part of a cluster of tornadoes in the midwest, a level F4 tormado hit Omaha, starting in Ralston (84th and 275) and heading northeast passing Dodge Street at about 40th and then going through Bemis Park, going through the neighborhood of ake Street at 24th and continuing on to Carter Lake passing just south of Kountze Park.  The tornado caused 135 deaths (according to the book AI says 103) and over 350 injuries.  An F4 tornado has winds over 200 mph and can cause significant damage.  It had a path about 5 blocks wide.  It caused millions of dollars in damage at 1913 prices.  This book offers about a paragraph in every chapter, and then provides lots of pictures.

In order the districts mentioned, Ralston.  The small village of Ralston was mostly destroyed.  Ralston is surrounded on three sides by Omaha.  The stove works in town lost their roof.  Many factories sustained heavy damage.  Six people saved themselves by crawling into a large freezer.

West Farnam also suspended heavy damage.  Many homes were off their foundation.  Even a Trolley was over turned.  Homes lost roofs and windows were shattered.  

Cathedral District.  The Joselyn Castle was hit, but only sustained minor damage because of the fine construction.  The grounds and green house however suffered heavy damage.  St. Cecilia's which was under construction did not suffer any damage, but the associated parochial school and the bishop's house did.  

The Bemis Park area hard hit.  The park had many fallen trees, as did the residences.  Many were injured and killed in the area.  Many homes came crashing down.  

The area with the most killed was the Lake and 24th area.  Passengers of a street car were saved when the conductor stopped and sent eople to seek shelter.  All the windows were blown out and many injured.  Diamond Theater collapsed, but none killed.  Idlewood Pool Hall was picked up by th storm, and then crashed back down to earth.  25 perished but three were pulled alive from the rubble.  The Kountze Place neighborhood was also hard hit.  A round house was destroyed in a train yard, and a bridge over Carter Lake was destroyed.

There was some luck with the tornado.  There was rain with the storm which limited the damage from fires.  The fires were mostly caused by ruptured gas lines.  

Relief and recovery efforts following the tornado were extraordinary and heroic.  People gave up time to volunteer and work and communication, clean up and eventuall rebuilding.