One Year Later: Memories of Tornado Relief Bring Gratitude
The afternoon of April 26, 2024, will be remembered in the minds of many, as that was the day as many as 25 tornadoes came through Nebraska and Iowa. According to the National Weather Service, several of these tornadoes were classified as EF-1, which can cause “moderate” damage of broken windows and roof damage, while several others caused “considerable” to “severe” damage that included houses shifting off of foundations and even entire roofs blown off structures. One tornado in the Elkhorn / Bennington / Blair area was classified as an EF-4, with estimated peak wind speeds of 170 mph that decimated residences, collapsed buildings, and threw cars considerable distances.
The Salvation Army of Omaha immediately sprang into action, working to assist those who had been affected by the tornadoes with meals, snacks, drinks, and supplies. Throughout the ensuing months-long relief operation, The Salvation Army stood side-by-side with those in need, helping in whatever, and as many, capacities as needed.
“One thing that does stick out that was very uplifting for me was the fact that the community recognized The Salvation Army via the large presence that we had in Blair with the tornado response,” said Maria Moreno, divisional director of emergency disaster services. “We were invited to a town hall meeting, and I was privileged to speak to the community as well. The community really bonded together to make the response. People were preparing for graduations -- and yet they came together and said, ‘I'm gonna cancel my daughter's graduation. You use this (money or goods) for Salvation Army’s response.’ And that just struck a chord.”
Moreno, who has been the EDS director through many devastating events, said having this level of disaster right in her own backyard took her breath away.
“We had six locations in our division that were impacted by this tornado,” Moreno said. “Here I am trying to reach out to Lincoln. They got hit. We knew about Elkhorn. We didn't realize right away that Bennington and Blair got hit. Then we have Minden, Iowa, across the bridge.”
About one month later, further devastation happened when parts of Greenfield, Iowa, were leveled due to an EF-4 tornado. Salvation Army teams from Des Moines and Omaha immediately drove into town with food, bottled water, and supplies to help survivors.
Led by Salvation Army officers, the two-state relief effort to help those affected from all these weather-related incidents included hundreds of volunteers.
Back in the metro, support continued for months after the storms – via longer-term relief from the social services department, as The Salvation Army made sure those affected by the devastation were given support to start rebuilding their homes, their businesses, and their lives.
Moreno said “thank you” doesn’t even begin to state the gratitude she feels for those who served.
“Donors and volunteers were right there, and it was unreal how generous they were,” Moreno said. “They were generous because they knew The Salvation Army is a trusted nonprofit.”