Damage to the exterior of the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb., is visible after a severe storm with strong winds swept through Omaha on Friday, June 27, 2008, forcing swimmers at the Qwest Center, who were practicing for the U.S. Olympic trials, to evacuate pools. The storm canceled an outdoor concert and knocking out power to large parts of the city. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
By ANNA JO BRATTON – 13 hours ago
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Severe storms with strong winds swept through the Plains on Friday, forcing swimmers practicing for U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha to flee pools and run for cover, killing two teenagers in Iowa, and knocking out power to thousands....
The names of the dead were not reported. Perhaps because they were minors. They reported the names of the scouts killed in Iowa.
...A spokesman for the Omaha Public Power District said more than a third of its customers were without power. The district serves 330,000 customers. There were widespread power failures in Council Bluffs, and Bailey said the police department was on auxiliary power.
The Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves the Omaha area, lost power, said Bryan Cook, duty officer for Nebraska Emergency Management.
Untreated wastewater was being discharged into the Missouri River, said Joe Gudenrath, spokesman for Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey. City officials told people to avoid wading or swimming in the water in the stretch of the river that passes by Omaha, and several miles downstream.
Outside the Qwest Center, chunks of what appeared to be material from the building were scattered about....
