Pillen signs emergency proclamation for southeast Nebraska after historic rainfall
By Scott Koperski 
, Digital News Content Producer, Nebraska Public Media
Oct. 2, 2026, noon ·
Gov. Jim Pillen has signed an emergency declaration for southeast Nebraska after historic rainfall led to flooding across the region, damaging roads and leaving motorists stranded.
Pillen joined Erv Portis, assistant director for the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, and representatives from the Nebraska National Guard, Lancaster County and the Lower Platte South NRD on Thursday to tour some of the affected areas in northern Lancaster County.
The declaration will allow the use of state resources and require state and federal agencies to work with the adjutant general of Nebraska, who also serves as the director of NEMA.
NEMA is currently working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Small Business Administration and Natural Resources Conservation Service to align resources as damage assessments are compiled.
Lincoln set its all-time record for rainfall in a single day on Wednesday, officially recording 6.15 inches at the Lincoln Airport. That shattered the previous record of 5.45 inches, set in 1910. But the National Weather Service also had a report of more than 10 inches in northern Lancaster County.
The rain was so heavy that Lincoln Transportation and Utilities' wastewater division had to temporarily divert wastewater from the Theresa Street Water Resource Recovery Facility directly into Salt Creek. The department said in a news release that the redirect lasted for about four hours.
The city also was forced to close several park and trail areas due to either active flooding or damage from flooding.
The Lancaster County Board declared a local emergency Thursday, which will allow it to spend existing emergency funds and apply for state assistance.
There were reports of more than 8 inches of rain in Douglas and Saunders counties and more than 7 inches in Sarpy and Washington counties.
Nebraska 370 was closed in both directions Thursday morning from 36th Street to U.S. 75 because of water over the road.
The Omaha Fire Department said it responded to 80 water rescue calls in a three-hour period between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing said at a press event he was told by the National Weather Service that the rainfall in the Omaha metro caused the Missouri River to jump 3 feet.
Flooding caused numerous street and road closures, including U.S. 77 near Ceresco northwest of Lincoln.
The Seward County Road Department said in a social media post that road crews were working to make repairs after some sections of road were washed away, entirely.
