Nebraska "To Do" list: Mark off tornado warning

Monday, Jun 02, 2008 - 11:55:43 am CDT

Well, I’ve been through my first official tornado warning siren, and I can’t help but feel like it was a kind of “christening” in my quest to feeling like a true Nebraskan. Of course we did what we were supposed to do when we heard the siren -- we quickly gathered the kids and pets up and went to the basement for some quality family time.

I had a sense of accomplishment in the whole event, and felt I had bonded with fellow Nebraskans who were in their basements too. Then we got a phone call from our neighbor asking us if we wanted to head outside with them and watch the storm.

Ohhh … so that’s what we were supposed to do. Yup, there they were -- the neighbors sitting in front of their homes watching for the twister that they knew would never come. My pride left me, and I felt "foreign" again; a stranger from the west who knows not one thing about Midwest weather or anything else Midwest for that matter.

The whole event got me thinking about what Nebraskans “do” ... what are the things a new resident needs to check off their list to feel like they’ve tasted the good life here in this state? I’ve come up with a few ideas, but thought you could add to it:

1. Go to/watch a Husker game (of course)

2. Make it through a long winter

3. Attend a “feed” of some sort

4. Visit the state capitol

5. Go fishing

6. Go to the Zoo

I’ll still go to my basement when I hear the tornado-warning siren, but I might just take a little longer to get there.

Until next week ... Linda

All posts are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.

Magenta

Jun 2, 2008 4:28 PM

7. Learn to polka.
8. Attend a barn/river/pasture party.
9. Go on an air boat ride of the Platte or Loup river.

Robby

Jun 2, 2008 4:34 PM

I like your list just add RUNZA if you have not already been there. As far as the sirens go we do get a bunch of false alarms as they go by county so if there is a storm in Humphrey heading away from Columbus the sirens will still go off in Columbus. You have to wait about a month to feel a nice 98 degree day with the humidity & no breeze it's a blast let me tell you.

Big J

Jun 2, 2008 5:42 PM

Get 2 birds with 1 stone go to the zoo & the CWS in Omaha this summer. Also go to a firework show or put on your own mini show.

father

Jun 2, 2008 9:31 PM

*-go to a street dance in a small town.
*-kill an animal or fish, clean it and eat it.

azhusker

Jun 2, 2008 10:09 PM

I miss Nebraska!!!!

arizonahusker

Jun 3, 2008 10:59 AM

Do I miss the tornados? Not a chance! Give me the 100 degree days and I'm love'n Arizona

Jun 3, 2008 1:14 PM

To magenta...you covered it! thanks LOL!

AZSKER

Jun 3, 2008 4:12 PM

I'm an ArizonanforNebraskan and the only thing I really miss is the smell of fresh cut grass. Actually, I will be back for the College World Series.. That is definitely a fun event to go to.

phreakwars

Jun 3, 2008 8:09 PM

Real Nebraskans don't run to the basement when the sirens go off, they go outside and check out the sky, or they order a pizza for delivery.

told_ya

Jun 4, 2008 8:10 AM

I would have to say go "tanking"! Down the platte river, get a big ol tank from tractor supply and put it in the river and relax and float on down while sipp'n your fav beverage. Or go trail riding horseback at camp Moses.

Common Sense

Jun 4, 2008 8:32 AM

Linda,
You did the right thing. When the tornado sirens go off, you should immediately seek the safety of your basement. Don't be misled by others who say a tornado will never hit Columbus. Tornados form and travel where ever Mother Nature chooses them to, they are not dictated by the ideas and actions of people! Perhaps this is why this year's tornado fatality toll is so high?

TLC

Jun 4, 2008 8:42 AM

Add to the list:
--Drive through the Sandhills on Highway 2.
--When in Omaha for the zoo/CWS, walk through the Old Market.
--If your kids get really lucky, when they turn 14 they also should "enjoy" the experience of detassling corn and/or hoeing beans for a summer.

My dad is ALWAYS outside at the corner watching the tornados. It just freaks out my German brother-in-law, who is very afraid of lightning unless there's a lightning rod around.

Welcome to the state!

emtever

Jun 4, 2008 6:02 PM

Welcome to Nebraska Linda! Do what you need to do for your family. I have been a Nebraskan for 41 yrs! Sometimes I go outside and watch, but you know when something is too close for comfort! lol! All the above mentioned suggestions of what to put on your "to do" list are accurate!

Robby

Jun 5, 2008 9:22 AM

"Nebraska the good life"
"There is no place like Nebraska"
"The greatest fans in all
of college football"
Welcome glad to have you

azhusker

Jun 5, 2008 1:38 PM

I still miss Nebraska....everything about it!!!

Now an Iowan

Jun 5, 2008 4:15 PM

The biggest right of passage is using your heat and air conditioning in the same day!

notfromcolumbus

Jun 6, 2008 1:17 AM

~~phreakwars~~ yeah, what he said

add to your list
7. Go tanking down the Cedar river-you wont bottom out
8. Check to see how many tornadoes have actually touchdown in Columbus with damage-"0"
9. check on real estate in SD its cheaper living
10. move-the taxes will eat your savings

K-C

Jun 6, 2008 12:13 PM

7. Tank the Cedar River
8. Duncan Rib-Fest (that might work well with your #3).
9. AirBoat Ride on Platte River
10. Go to your basement when the Tornado Sirens sound - then check the radar - it's usually for northen Platte County so then you can join your neighbors in "watching and waiting"

Jenny

Jun 6, 2008 10:03 PM

Duncan Rib Fest for sure!
Tanking down the river is a must!
POLKA-POLKA! Fun for us young folks too!
Swiss mushroom Runza's are the best!
The best place to camp and have lots of fun is Mahoney State Park. They have a driving range, putt-putt golf, water park, horse back riding, trails to walk, lakes and paddle boats, nice camping grounds-with electrical hookups, actual plumbed toilets, showers with warm water and cute ground squirrels that love cheetoes. Plus it's close to SAC Air Museum.

MDS

Jun 7, 2008 2:11 PM

I hate to say it, but Im one of those who like to be outside of town seeing the storms come in and chase it. I have loved it since I was little. Last year I took two nice pictures of two different tornadoes, but so far no luck yet with all the storms that have been around.I should have been one of those tornado chasers down south.It is tougher this year though with gas prices so high and try not to drive to far.I know it sounds crazy,but thats why I go by myself most of the time.

To end confusion

Jun 7, 2008 2:42 PM

This year weather warnings are issued for the portion of the county affected. For instance, the last tornado warning was for the southern part of Platte County, the sirens were not blown for Humphrey, Creston, and Lindsay.

MeMyselfAndI

Jun 9, 2008 12:10 PM

You have to go hunting for morel mushrooms in the spring but take precautions for ticks.

I dont blame you

Jun 9, 2008 5:22 PM

Linda, don't feel like you're not a Nebraskan yet because you went to the basement. I have lived here all my life and I sprint to the basement when the siren sounds.

Jun 11, 2008 12:34 PM

Now that is June I see the fire flys are coming out in the yard after sundown. You definitely need to have a "firefly picnic"

Lsj

Jul 6, 2008 11:52 AM

Yeah, take longer to seek cover during a storm and then die like the other morons out here who don't heed the warnings. THAT would certainly make you a true midwesterner.

where

Jul 16, 2008 6:51 AM

Horse back riding at camp Moses????? Pleases explain!