Omaha, Nebraska: Pillen Asks Trump for Federal Disaster Declaration as Flood Damage Tops $23 Million

Governor Jim Pillen has asked President Donald Trump for a federal disaster declaration covering eight Nebraska counties hit by severe flooding from September 30 through October 6, including Douglas County and Omaha. The request, released on Tuesday, October 27, seeks federal public assistance after damage assessments across the eight counties passed $23 million, a total the governor's office says could still go higher.

The counties in the request are Douglas, Fillmore, Lancaster, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward and Thayer. For Omaha, the request covers the city where rescue crews carried out 80 water rescues during the flooding, the highest count the governor's office reported from any community in the state.

What the money would repair

The public assistance in the request would help local governments and Natural Resources Districts pay to repair what the floodwater damaged: water control facilities, roadways, bridges, electrical distribution infrastructure, schools, public buildings and equipment. Lancaster, Saunders and Thayer counties also face extensive debris that has to be removed, the governor's office said.

"I have asked President Trump, through a request submitted to FEMA, to consider the extent of damage resulting from this extraordinary flooding event and to grant a request for public assistance," Pillen said in the release. He said the aid would help cover the repair and recovery costs that communities, counties and Natural Resources Districts will carry.

The storm behind the request

The flooding began with thunderstorms that moved through Nebraska on September 30 and produced widespread flash flooding. Rainfall was heaviest in Lancaster and Douglas counties, the two counties that hold Lincoln and Omaha. In Omaha, the 80 water rescues came as streets and neighborhoods filled during the downpour. The request covers the full flooding period from September 30 through October 6.

A second track for homes and businesses

Alongside the FEMA request, Pillen asked the U.S. Small Business Administration for a disaster declaration for Douglas County, where at least 25 homes or businesses were damaged and uninsured losses reached at least 40 percent. Lincoln radio reported on Tuesday that the SBA declaration for Douglas County was approved, a step that opens low interest loans to flood hit homeowners and businesses while the larger FEMA request waits for a decision in Washington.

No decision on the federal public assistance request had been announced by Tuesday night. If FEMA approves it, the eight counties and their Natural Resources Districts can begin drawing federal help for the repair bills the flooding left behind.