FEMA approves disaster declaration for Nebraska counties hit by May tornadoes

Federal disaster assistance will be available to eight Nebraska counties following May storms that brought tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding to parts of central and southeastern Nebraska.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that federal funding will be available for recovery efforts in Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties for the May 15-18 storms.

In central Nebraska's Howard County, two homes were leveled on May 17 and several more were damaged when a tornado ripped through the area.

Auburn, located in southeast Nebraska's Nemaha County, quickly declared a local disaster following the storms after straight-line winds and flooding damaged around 25 homes, several downtown commercial buildings and the Nemaha County courthouse roof.

Around 2,000 customers lost power, and a farm west of town lost grain bins and three Morton buildings.

Richardson County saw several confirmed tornado touchdowns that destroyed grain bins, sheds and rural homes. Downed power poles and electrical lines were also reported.