Emily Mathers, Kristin Memoli, and Iman Yusuf’s Tornado Emergency Plan for Douglas County, Nebraska

Introduction: Tornadoes are destructive products of thunderstorms, which are characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud and are often accompanied by lightning, heavy rain, and hail. On average, the United States experiences 800 tornadoes each year, leading to 80 deaths and 1,500 injuries. Tornado Alley is an area in the United States comprised of multiple states that are particularly susceptible to tornadoes and incur the most tornado-related fatalities. Of the susceptible states in Tornado Alley, Nebraska ranks number 5 for frequency of tornadoes, 23 for number of deaths, and 11 for cost of damages.

The purpose of this Disaster Plan, in accordance with the Nebraska Emergency Management Act, is to set forth guidelines and recommended actions for Douglas County and Nebraska officials in mitigating and responding to tornado events.