June 05, 2019
Media Contacts:
Eric Maher, 402-471-1974
Taylor Gage, 402-471-1970
Media Release:
Gov. Ricketts Issues Emergency Declaration to Aid Extreme Weather Response
LINCOLN – Recently, Governor Pete Ricketts issued an emergency declaration to allow state funds to be used for the response to the extreme weather which has affected Nebraskans statewide from May 16 and continuing into June.
“We’ve seen severe storms, flooding, hail, and tornadoes impact a large portion of the state over the past few weeks,” Governor Ricketts said. “This declaration allows state funds from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to help our communities as they recover.”
Due to strong thunderstorms and heavy rains, there has been a rise in river levels which has led to the closing of a number of roadways throughout eastern Nebraska. Multiple tornadoes and a hailstorm that traveled along the I-80 corridor from the Colorado border to Iowa also caused damages to communities throughout the state. Disaster declarations have been received from 12 counties with more declarations expected.
“We have had statewide impact,” said Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Assistant Director Bryan Tuma. “County declarations have been sent to the state from Dawes in the northwest to Dakota in the northeast, and from Nemaha in the southeast to Red Willow in the southwest. Many of the areas impacted by the March flooding and blizzard event were hit again. Roads and bridges that had temporary repairs from the last disaster were impacted again. Other areas not impacted during the March flooding and blizzard were impacted as well. This declaration will help communities already in need from the previous disaster.”
The emergency declaration:
To keep up-to-date on other road closures in your area, you can call 511, visit 511.Nebraska.gov, or download the 511 smartphone app.
