Trump approves Nebraska disaster declaration for mid-May storms

LINCOLN — President Donald Trump this week approved a federal disaster declaration for eight Nebraska counties in the wake of severe storms that primarily hit central and southeastern Nebraska in mid-May.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen requested the declaration in mid-June following tornadoes, extreme straight-line winds and flooding May 15-18 across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. The unlocked federal funding will assist in covering costs from damage to public infrastructure. Pillen’s office estimated damage over $4.9 million.

Power poles and lines were downed and schools, buildings and roadways damaged. Emergency shelters were necessary in some areas for displaced residents, according to Pillen’s office.

This is the second federal declaration that Pillen has sought this year. Trump approved the earlier one July 2 for historic wildfires this spring, which hit western Nebraska. The total funding covered was nearly $9.7 million, across Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill counties.

Pillen has met with Trump many times in Washington, D.C. The governor has also met multiple times with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, whom he has also hosted in Nebraska. She approved a similar secretarial disaster declaration for the spring wildfires that opened up emergency loan assistance for farmers in 21 counties.

In addition, Rollins has approved emergency loan assistance for farmers in 86 Nebraska counties due to drought so far this year.