Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele has declared a state of emergency following historic rainfall across the city Wednesday night. The National Weather Service in Hastings says 7.1 inches fell late last night resulting in flooded roads and parking lots and homes being inundated with water.
There have been no reports of injuries or deaths. “Several homes reported their sewers backing up, water running into basements and some residents took shelter at local hotels or with friends and family,” Grand Island Police said in a Facebook post. Officers responded to dozens of calls to assist motorists who were stuck in flooded roadways.
(Photo: Ben Hardesty)
“This was an extraordinary rainstorm and is very similar to the historic rains seen in the 2005 floods,” says Director of Emergency Management Jon Rosenlund. “We will be actively monitoring rivers, creeks and other drainage areas over the next few days for future flooding issues.”
(Photo: Ben Hardesty)
Grand Island Police Chief Kevin Denny said they used their emergency rescue vehicle, which is capable of driving through flooded streets. He says they used it to perform a few rescues from vehicles and residences.
Denny says the department totaled 107 calls for service between midnight and 11 a.m. Thursday. Of those calls, two of them required rescues from homes.
(Photo of Eddy Street underpass courtesy Grand Island Police)