Thousands of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. And yet, it could have been worse were it not for the courage of a then-23-year-old Omaha police officer named David Campbell.
I was 19 at the time and working at Richman Gordman on 73rd and Blondo that day. All the employees but three young male department managers (who later literally flew down the stairs) were in the basement crowded around a radio listening to Officer Campbell. This is the first full interview I saw of him talking about that fateful day. I hope he sees this to know how thankful I, and so many others, are for his bravery. God bless you. Thank you for your military service and service to the people of Omaha.
My late Father LEONARD JAMES UMSCHEID Born 9-21-1939 lived through that twister my father was the MACK truck garage on L st. it's the hill from 84th an L H&H chevy dealer he watch the steakhouse Grandmothers and the bank get hit and the center eyebeam of the steakhouse which is the divider of the top an bottom floors get turned 180 in to Lst. always talked about that day how he survived that day he never told us how big it truly was BUT WOW MY FATHER SURVIVED A F5 TORNADO ONLY ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We lived on 45th and Levenworth right behind Bronco's. I was 3 years old. I remember being under the basement stairs with mom and my brother and dad was outside trying to see it. The radio was blaring maybe this guy was on it. I remember being a little scared but had no idea why. Thats all I remember. I don't remember seeing any damage but just a few weeks ago I had a job in Elkhorn a day or two after the April/May 2024 tornado came through and it went across the street from the house I work in and I was almost frozen in shock as I got closer and closer. I wont try to describe what that feels like. I can't even imagine an F5. Excellent interview! Good job sir. thank you. it's obvious that it isn't your favorite topic to discuss but i learned a lot. I had so many questions what it must've done and you painted a clear picture.
This tornado event has haunted me since reading about it in an Omaha Newspaper shortly after it occured. I was visiting an Aunt & Uncle who lived in McClouth, Kansas, and had driven through some scary weather on my way there from Wisconsin.... during that outbreak. Reading the accounts of people who had barely survived, they really did a frightening "number" on me! One story I remember most, was about someone who had JUST made it into the basement, when a CAR came flying INTO the basement,.. GRAZING their HEAD as it flew past! The person was injured, but alive! I was 21 at the time, and I remember reading about this BRAVE man; the Lord WAS with him, for sure!
My husband watched the cars fly at H&H Chevrolet. I was in the basement in N. Omaha (Florence, off Fontinelle Blvd.) I was just a few miles north of Benson park where it stopped.😮
I was 19 at the time and working at Richman Gordman on 73rd and Blondo that day. All the employees but three young male department managers (who later literally flew down the stairs) were in the basement crowded around a radio listening to Officer Campbell. This is the first full interview I saw of him talking about that fateful day. I hope he sees this to know how thankful I, and so many others, are for his bravery. God bless you. Thank you for your military service and service to the people of Omaha.
This man was truly a hero! He undoubtedly helped save many many lives that day!
Thank you Officer Campbell for your bravery. I am so glad God kept you safe. God bless you
My late Father LEONARD JAMES UMSCHEID Born 9-21-1939 lived through that twister my father was the MACK truck garage on L st. it's the hill from 84th an L H&H chevy dealer he watch the steakhouse Grandmothers and the bank get hit and the center eyebeam of the steakhouse which is the divider of the top an bottom floors get turned 180 in to Lst. always talked about that day how he survived that day he never told us how big it truly was BUT WOW MY FATHER SURVIVED A F5 TORNADO ONLY ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We lived on 45th and Levenworth right behind Bronco's. I was 3 years old. I remember being under the basement stairs with mom and my brother and dad was outside trying to see it. The radio was blaring maybe this guy was on it. I remember being a little scared but had no idea why. Thats all I remember. I don't remember seeing any damage but just a few weeks ago I had a job in Elkhorn a day or two after the April/May 2024 tornado came through and it went across the street from the house I work in and I was almost frozen in shock as I got closer and closer. I wont try to describe what that feels like. I can't even imagine an F5.
Excellent interview! Good job sir. thank you. it's obvious that it isn't your favorite topic to discuss but i learned a lot. I had so many questions what it must've done and you painted a clear picture.
I doubt you remember that at 3 years old but cool story bro
This tornado event has haunted me since reading about it in an Omaha Newspaper shortly after it occured.
I was visiting an Aunt & Uncle who lived in McClouth, Kansas, and had driven through some scary weather on my way there from Wisconsin.... during that outbreak. Reading the accounts of people who had barely survived, they really did a frightening "number" on me! One story I remember most, was about someone who had JUST made it into the basement, when a CAR came flying INTO the basement,.. GRAZING their HEAD as it flew past! The person was injured, but alive! I was 21 at the time, and I remember reading about this BRAVE man; the Lord WAS with him, for sure!
My husband watched the cars fly at H&H Chevrolet. I was in the basement in N. Omaha (Florence, off Fontinelle Blvd.) I was just a few miles north of Benson park where it stopped.😮