Pillen seeking major disaster declaration for 12 Nebraska counties

Gov. Jim Pillen has requested a federal major disaster declaration for a dozen eastern Nebraska counties that were hit hard by a series of severe storms last month.

The storms that hit Aug. 8-10 produced winds of 90 mph in some areas, damaging schools, businesses and public infrastructure.

The storms damaged hundreds of power poles, transformers and electrical lines, leaving tens of thousands of people without power, some for up to three days.

The storms also caused extensive tree damage. A woman was killed and a man severely injured at Two Rivers State Recreation Area when a tree fell on the truck they were seeking shelter in. High winds also blew the roofs off two housing units at the Nebraska State Penitentiary.

Preliminary damage estimates exceed $39 million, with costs expected to increase as assessments continue to be reported from impacted areas. Pillen said in a news release a major disaster declaration will help provide federal funding to cover costs associated with repairs and replacement to public infrastructure.

The request covers the following 12 counties: Burt, Douglas, Fillmore, Lancaster, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Washington, and Webster.