MONDAY UPDATES: Laundry services, showers for tornado victims to be provided at northwest Omaha Walmart

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Below is a list of updates we have received from area officials on Monday.

7:33 p.m. -- Residents impacted by Friday’s severe weather will be granted access to free laundry service and showers as well as batteries and personal care, first-aid, and safety kits from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Douglas County Emergency Management said more dates may be added later in the week.

Head to the Walmart Supercenter at 16960 W. Maple Road in Omaha and look for the orange trailer directly across from the Garden Center.

5:52 p.m. -- OPPD reports that it has restored power to all but 171 customers initially impacted by Friday’s storms, putting their recovery efforts at 98%. Anyone whose home or electrical service has been damaged is advised to contact OPPD customer service at 402-536-4131 anytime from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays to determine next steps.

“Due to the extent and randomness of the destruction, it’s very difficult for us to identify which specific homes should have their service disconnected,” OPPD said in the update. “We understand how overwhelmed and extremely busy you are right now. Let us help you ease that burden.”

5:03 p.m. -- The Douglas County Health Department reminds the public of upcoming tetanus shot clinics, scheduled through Thursday.

4:48 p.m. -- Washington County Emergency Management has confirmed to 6 News that approximately 230 homes have been destroyed.

4:08 p.m. -- Omaha Airport Authoriy shared photos of the progress made on tornado cleanup at Eppley Airfield. Officials said in an update on Saturday that the damage done by the tornado that hit the airport would not hinder travel expected during the upcoming Berkshire Hathaway shareholders weekend.

3:30 p.m. -- The National Weather Service issued its first official report on Friday’s severe weather. At least six tornadoes were initially confirmed with five significant EF-3 tornado paths. The number of confirmed tornadoes was increased to nine a little later in the afternoon.

3:05 p.m. -- Mayor Jean Stothert and Police Chief Todd Schmaderer held a news conference to give updates on storm damage and recovery efforts.

The mayor said that the city will be waiving fees for building permits for construction related to tornado damage as well as expediting the approval process in order to facilitate faster recovery. But she stressed that it’s important to apply for the permits so that inspections can made to ensure safety protocols are followed.

She also talked about the city’s two dump sites for debris: Greenbrier Park at 209th and Park Drive; and Pheasant Point Landfill. There is also a dump site in Waterloo.

Rough estimates a100 to 150 homes were damaged, with 50 or so of those destroyed. Stothert also talked about Gov. Jim Pillen’s flight over damage areas, particularly in Washington County where estimates are that 250 homes were destroyed.

TORNADO RECOVERY

How to help — and find help

Here are ways you can assist those in Nebraska and Iowa who are recovering from tornadoes that hit on Friday, April 26.

1:49 p.m. -- Planet Fitness announced it will allow victims of the recent storms in Nebraska and Iowa to have free access to available locations — no membership required — through Sunday. Available amenities include access to shower facilities, fitness equipment, electrical outlets, and more. [FIND A LOCATION]

12:30 p.m. -- Omaha Public Works will be in the Ramblewood neighborhood in Elkhorn to help with construction debris disposal. The free service will be available daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. The city asked that no tires, hazardous waste, waste oil, paint, batteries, appliances, or air-conditioners be disposed of here.

“Ten large orange dump trucks and loaders, marked with the city seal on the doors, are available for disposal of wood, bricks, shingles, broken furniture, drywall and other household debris,” the city said in an email.

10:54 a.m. -- OPPD reports that some customers are still without power as a result of Friday’s severe weather.

“Our crews continue to navigate tough conditions, such as muddy and rough terrain requiring assistance from bulldozers,” OPPD said in an update posted on X/Twitter. “They won’t let up until all outages have been restored.”

Stothert said at the afternoon conference that 10,200 OPPD homes were in the dark. At last check, power has been restored to about 95% of affected customers. A small area in the Ramblewood section is still without power due to the risk of re-energizing power lines that are still down. All told, a little over 300 customers are still without electricity as of 4 p.m.

10:43 a.m. -- Pleasant Point Landfill, located at 13505 N. 216th St. in Bennington, will be open until 6 p.m. daily through Saturday, May 4, as storm cleanup continues in the area. Douglas County officials ask that limbs be cut into pieces that are 4 feet long or smaller, but that debris doesn’t need to be separated out. No tires, hazardous waste, waste oil, liquid paint, batteries, appliances be disposed of here; but dry paint can be.

9:29 a.m. -- The traffic camera is back up at Eppley Airfield. The camera was hit by the tornado that touched down at the airport Friday, causing flight delays.

9 a.m. -- Douglas County Health Department cautioned residents using well water to note that their wells may have been damaged even if their homes were not. “A damaged, or even cracked wellhead can be a point for contamination from rain. If your wellhead is damaged, it should be inspected and repaired by a qualified well repair service.”

8:51 a.m. -- Omaha Council President Pete Festersent confirmed that the City Council, during its meeting on Tuesday, will vote to waive permit fees for rebuilding.

8:19 a.m. -- A fund to assist Pottawattamie County, Iowa, residents as they recover from Friday’s catastrophic tornado has been set up. Those wishing to donate can contribute to the Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund at givewesterniowa.org.

Authorities are limiting access to the area, asking that those wishing to assist victims of the tornado not attempt to enter the town for the time being, but instead contribute what they can to the fund. Those contributions will allow organizations to purchase items that are most needed by survivors and displaced residents, Pottawattamie County Emergency Managagement officials said in an update Monday.

“As safety conditions and operational needs change, officials will announce volunteer opportunities for individuals, small groups, and additional organized disaster response teams when that need arises and safety conditions improve,” Monday’s update states.

Officials said those opportunities will be posted on the SHARE Iowa Facebook page.

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