Natural Disasters in Nebraska

Natural Disasters have been occurring forever--before they were disasters. The following sites will allow you to explore these natural occurring activities and how man has adapted to the forces of nature. The activities and resources are designed by grade level and matched to the Nebraska State Education Standards.

The information compiled here will give you general facts and information, related activities, myths, history, safety issues, protection, helps after the destruction, careers, resources, assessments and meeting Nebraska state standards.

FLOODS---Flooding can happen in every U.S. state and territory. It is a result of heavy rains that cause rivers and streams to overflow, ocean waves coming onshore, snow melting too fast or dams or levees breaking. A flood may be only a few inches of water or it may cover a whole house or community. No matter how severe, a flood can be very destructive for humans, animals and property. They are the most common of all natural hazards!

TORNADOES---A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud. The winds range from 40-300+mph. It is spawned by a thunderstorm and produced when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, forcing the warm air to rise rapidly. The damage from a tornado is a result of the high wind velocity and wind-blown debris. Tornadoes can occur in any state but are more frequent in the Midwest, including Nebraska.

WILD FIRES, PRAIRIE/FOREST---Fire is a natural event in most forest ecosystems. Some forests depend on fire to recycle nutrients back into the soil. From an ecological standpoint, fire is neither "good" nor "bad." Fire occurs naturally through lightning strikes in the presence of dry fuel. Fires also occur when humans start them intentionally or accidentally.

WINTER STORMS---A blizzard is a severe weather condition characterized by low temperatures, winds 35 MPH or greater, and sufficient falling and/or blowing snow in the air to frequently reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less for a duration of at least 3 hours.
A severe blizzard is characterized by temperatures of near or below 10° Fahrenheit, winds exceeding 45 MPH, and visibility reduced by snow to near zero.-----The Weather Channel

NASA Web Link

Nebraska State Standards Addressed by this project

Assessment Activities

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The Design Team

Funding for this project was generously provided by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act for fiscal year 1999. Project Created: July 1999

	FLOODS---Flooding can happen in every U.S. state and territory. It is a result of heavy rains that cause rivers and streams to overflow, ocean waves coming onshore, snow melting too fast or dams or levees breaking. A flood may be only a few inches of water or it may cover a whole house or community. No matter how severe, a flood can be very destructive for humans, animals and property. They are the most common of all natural hazards!
	TORNADOES---A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel-shaped cloud. The winds range from 40-300+mph. It is spawned by a thunderstorm and produced when cool air overrides a layer of warm air, forcing the warm air to rise rapidly. The damage from a tornado is a result of the high wind velocity and wind-blown debris. Tornadoes can occur in any state but are more frequent in the Midwest, including Nebraska.
	WILD FIRES, PRAIRIE/FOREST---Fire is a natural event in most forest ecosystems. Some forests depend on fire to recycle nutrients back into the soil. From an ecological standpoint, fire is neither "good" nor "bad." Fire occurs naturally through lightning strikes in the presence of dry fuel. Fires also occur when humans start them intentionally or accidentally.
	WINTER STORMS---A blizzard is a severe weather condition characterized by low temperatures, winds 35 MPH or greater, and sufficient falling and/or blowing snow in the air to frequently reduce visibility to 1/4 mile or less for a duration of at least 3 hours. A severe blizzard is characterized by temperatures of near or below 10° Fahrenheit, winds exceeding 45 MPH, and visibility reduced by snow to near zero.-----The Weather Channel