Photo: John Lund / Stone / Getty Images
(Omaha, NE) — Fifty years ago, an EF-4 tornado tore through Omaha, killing three people and leaving a trail of destruction across the metro area. The May 6, 1975 storm destroyed homes, businesses, and several Omaha landmarks.
Forecasting technology today is not what it was 50 years ago, and while meteorologists back then were able to provide people with warnings, weather radar technology has made huge advances.
"The forecasters at the time were using the first version of a weather radar, called WSR1 at the North Omaha Office," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Franks. "Compared to what we have today with modern radar technology and Duel Polarization."
Franks said that, unlike in 1975, meteorologists now have days of lead time to prepare for severe weather, thanks to significant advancements in forecasting and radar systems.