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LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration following severe storms May 15-18 that brought tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds and flash flooding to several Nebraska counties.
The request includes Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. Damage included downed power poles and lines, damaged schools, buildings and roads, widespread debris and emergency shelter needs for displaced residents.
Preliminary damage estimates exceed $4.9 million.
If approved, federal aid would help cover public infrastructure repair costs.
Pillen also requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which helps governmental entities rebuild in ways intended to reduce future disaster losses.
It is the governor’s second federal disaster declaration request in two months. In May, he requested aid for wildfires in Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill counties, where preliminary damage estimates totaled nearly $9.7 million.
