Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) and Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) wrote a letter to President Biden echoing their support of Governor Ricketts’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for portions of Nebraska. The request follows severe thunderstorms that heavily impacted communities across the state between July 9 and July 10.
The counties highlighted in the request include Box Butte, Cass, Clay, Douglas, Fillmore, Grant, Hall, Hamilton, Madison, Sarpy, Saunders, Sheridan, Washington, and York.
A copy of the delegation’s letter to President Biden is below and a signed copy is available here.
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Governor Pete Ricketts’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance for Nebraska due to a period of severe weather from July 9-10, 2021 for the following counties: Box Butte, Cass, Clay, Douglas, Fillmore, Grant, Hall, Hamilton, Madison, Sarpy, Saunders, Sheridan, Washington, and York. We also support the Governor’s request for Hazard Mitigation statewide.
As a result of severe thunderstorms, 70-90+ mph wind gusts, and hail sizes up to 4 to 6 inches between July 9 and 10, numerous cities in Nebraska, including Aurora, Battle Creek, Giltner, Neligh, Newman Grove, Norfolk, Meadow Grove, Oakdale, Omaha, La Vista, Papillion, Plattsmouth, and Ralston all experienced damage to electrical distribution infrastructure, primarily to electrical lines and power poles. This caused the largest power outage in the Omaha Public Power District’s history, and resulted in 37 percent of the state being without power after the storms moved through the area. Significant crop damages were also reported, including to corn, soybean, wheat, sunflower, and alfalfa crops, which will likely have a long-term adverse effect on our state’s economy. A preliminary damage assessment has estimated costs totaling $30,862,617.
This event comes after Nebraska did not suffer a federally declared disaster during the past 12 months, and while still recovering from the largest disaster in our state’s history, DR-4420, in March 2019. We ask that the federal government once again join in our state’s restoration efforts and ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Our offices stand ready and willing to assist in any possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.