FEATURES

1913 OMAHA TORNADO: Edward Anson Parmelee 1844-1925
Daniel Stevens, William, Dan, Lemuel, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, John, John

Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913, began under cloudy skies in Omaha. Rain threatened but never fell and by noon the sun began to peek through. But that afternoon the skies darkened again as a storm system moved in from the west.

About 6 p.m., the barometric pressure and temperature fell so suddenly that few had time to seek shelter. 153 people died, 115 in Omaha, and 400 more were injured.

A massive storm ripped its way through Nebraska, and the thriving city of Omaha. The storm -- which produced eight distinct tornadoes -- left a path of destruction 40 miles long and 1/4 to 1/2-mile wide and claimed 133 lives -- 115 in Omaha alone. More than 400 were injured and 2,000 homes were destroyed, including the home of .the Edward Parmelee family at 1920 Corby St. (Note: The 1900 census says 1924 Corby St. -- did they move or were the houses renumbered?) Their home stood just east of West 20th Street; Corby Street almost runs into Maple Street at that the intersection. (See map below.)

Edward, who was a Civil War veteran, his wife Sally and their daughters Florence and Harriet lived in this home near the intersection of 20th and Maple streets that was shredded by the storm. Son Albert, manager of the Northwestern School of Taxidermy, and his family were living on Florence Street. None of them were among the fatalities but I have no information that indicates that they were among the injured.

The storm is estimated to have caused at least $8 million in damage in 1913 dollars. This rash of twisters -- the first to have ever been photographed -- would remain the worst Omaha would see until May, 1975.

The first tornado touched down about 5:20 p.m. that Sunday, just outside of Craig, Neb. It traveled into Iowa without causing major damage. A second struck about 5:30 p.m. near Ithaca, claiming the first casualties of the day as it swept through Yutan. Two other rural tornadoes followed.

At 5:45 p.m. a tornado touched down near Kramer and raced northeast to the outskirts of Omaha about 15 minutes later.

The Omaha tornado followed the path of Little Papillion Creek as it entered the city. It moved through the west side of town, alongside the Missouri Pacific Railroad, destroying the small workers cottages. The tornado was so strong that steel train cars were later found to have been pierced by pieces of shattered lumber from the demolished homes.

By the time the funnel cloud reached Dewey Avenue it was five blocks wide. When it reached Farnham Hill, it followed a shallow valley through the upscale neighborhood, tearing many houses to pieces. At 24th and Lake streets a large crowd was enjoying a show at the Diamond Moving Picture Theater. The tornado flattened that building and struck other brick structures in the small commercial district. More people died here than in any other part of Omaha.

The tornado skirted the downtown area and moved over the Missouri River into Council Bluffs, Iowa. Although Council Bluffs sustained damage, it escaped the destruction the tornado had brought to Omaha.

The same storm system that struck Nebraska also created a huge dust storm in Topeka, Kansas. On Sunday night, it spawned another deadly tornado in Terre Haute, Ind., killing 50. On Monday and Tuesday the storm brought heavy rains and widespread flooding to the Midwest and upstate New York. 

Another cousin fared far better in the 1878 Wallingford, Conn., tornado.

Photo No.: 01-0814twister, 01-0814map