(Picture as of Friday, March 15, 2019. Additional areas have since been added.)
Widespread flooding continues in eastern Nebraska and The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) continues operations at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), supporting local flood response and recovery efforts.
Record flooding:
- 17 locations, to date, across the state. More record crests are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.
- The Missouri River is expected to crest at 41 feet at Plattsmouth, today (March 17, 2019), breaking the previous record (2011) by four feet. Record flooding is forecasted to continue into next weekend.
- The Missouri River is expected to crest at 30.2 feet at Nebraska City, today, breaking the previous record (2011) by 1.9 feet. Major flooding is forecasted to continue through Wednesday 3/20.
- The Missouri River is expected to crest at 47.5 feet on Tuesday, breaking the previous record (2011) by more than one foot. Record flooding is expected to continue through Thursday.
- The Platte River is expected to crest at 14.3 feet at Louisville, today, breaking the previous record (1960) by 1.9 feet. Major flooding is forecasted to continue through Monday 3/18.
- The Elkhorn River at Waterloo crested at 24.6 feet Saturday, breaking the previous record (1962) by 5.5 feet. Major flooding is expected to decrease to moderate flooding today.
Shelters and Evacuations:
- American Red Cross is operating 22 shelters, with a population of 660 people (Highest number to date was 1,193)
- National Guard rescues – 111 people rescued, 13 pets
- Nebraska State Patrol – 163 people rescued
- Nebraska Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue – 16 people rescued, 11 pets
(For comparison, the 2011 flood had zero rescue missions by these assets)
Recovery and Assistance:
- Governor’s Emergency Declaration: Governor Pete Ricketts, in consultation with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), issued an emergency declaration effective March 12, 2019, in anticipation of severe weather issues set to impact the state. Details about the declaration can be found here: https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-ricketts-issues-emergency-declaration-nebraska-prepares-potential-historic-flooding
- 53 counties, 54 cities and two tribes have issued emergency declarations.
- Monetary donations can be made to the Nebraska/SW Iowa Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donations of water can also be made to local media for distribution.
- Residents who need help with home cleanup, cutting trees, removing drywall, insulation, flooring, furniture and appliances or other physical labor-type jobs, can call the Crisis Clean Up Hotline at (833) 566-2476 to get on a needs list. Nebraska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is coordinating volunteers from across the country to assist with cleanup. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/2UMNtRy.
- For those with other needs, such as food, shelter, clothing and personal goods, call 211.
- For veterans affected by recent flooding in Nebraska, the Nebraska Veterans Aid (NVA) may be able to assist with food, clothing, and emergency housing (i.e. hotel accommodations). Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine the amount of assistance a veteran and/or their eligible dependents would be able to receive. Additional information on the program is available here: https://veterans.nebraska.gov/nva. Veterans should apply for NVA through their County Veteran Service Officer.
- The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has put together a list of disaster relief resources for Nebraska farmers and ranchers seeking assistance due to severe weather. This list includes information about NDA’s Hay and Forage Hotline and programs from the Farm Service Agency. For information go to: www.nda.nebraska.gov/resources.
- Governor Pete Ricketts has issued an executive order temporarily waiving overweight limits to help speed disaster relief response times. A copy of the executive order can be found by clicking here.
- Information on road closures can be found on the Nebraska 511 map at https://www.511.nebraska.gov. Nebraska 511 provides the most up-to-date travel conditions. Nebraska 511 can be accessed through the 511 smartphone app or by dialing 511.
- The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) Highway Helpline is available 24 hours a day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone or 911 in an emergency.
Track up to the minute developments related to NEMA’s disaster response and recovery by going to: www.nema.nebraska.gov
Additionally, this report was released by KBRX Radio in O’Neill:
KBRX visited with Boyd County Sheriff Chuck Wrede on Sunday, March 17 at 10:45 am and received the following updates:
To squash some rumors the Highway 11 bridge south of Butte did not collapse. It is still closed and the only way to get to Boyd County at this time is either the bridge north of Newport, Nebraska or by going via Yankton.
The search continues for missing person Ken Angel.
The West end of Knox County has been cut off from Knox County Sheriff’s due to the loss of the bridge at Niobrara. The Boyd County Sheriff is currently servicing western Knox County.
Anyone that needs cattle moved there have some PBR Cowboys that have arrived and will help with moving cattle. Currently airplanes are searching for any cattle that need assistance. If you need assistance with moving cattle call Boyd County Sheriff Chuck Wrede at 402-340-7072
The Village Of Butte water restriction has been lifted. The boil water advisory remains in effect until further notice. If you are in need of water for livestock it will be available at the fire hydrant at the west end of the baseball field. The Butte Firehall will be open to anyone needing to fill containers of water.
Supplies are available for people in the Lynch, Monowi, Verdel and surrounding areas at the Lynch Community Hall. Please come and take what you are needing. Even those that didn’t have water in their homes but are housing others. Lots and lots of supplies have been donated. On an additional note… Lynch Fire/Rescue and community give a big thank you to those that have contacted us and made those donations. We are currently working around the clock to keep things working as normal as possible
Supplies will be coming into the area daily, watch for updates.
We know Facebook is a great way to get information out and thanks to all for the information. Many rumors and false information are also posted which might alert law enforcement or emergency personnel that they need to respond to an incident which is not true and cause unnecessary travel or loss of time.