Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley signed a disaster proclamation in response to the severe windstorms on December 15, 2021. The proclamation allows for use of the Governor’s Emergency Fund in response to damage that happened as a result of the storm and high wind that damaged trees and downed power lines that created outages.
The state declaration is needed to request for federal disaster for public assistance. Damage assessments continue. Once information is gathered, a request for Federal Public Assistance will be sent to the local Federal Emergency Management Agency, then to FEMA headquarters and on to the White House for review and approval.
“While this storm came through very fast, it hit a number of communities and public power districts hard. With this proclamation, and hopefully a federal declaration, we can expedite the recovery process,” said Nebraska Emergency Management Assistant Director Erv Portis. “On this event, Nebraska would qualify for the FEMA Public Assistance program but not the FEMA Individual Assistance program. Individual Assistance is based on extreme impact, such as widespread loss of housing for individuals and families, loss of employment, loss of services across multiple sectors which results in extreme hardship, etc. This event, while significant, does not meet those thresholds.”
Those needing help replacing spoiled food, removing tree limbs, cleaning up property damage or has any other needs, contact
the United Way’s 211 system. You can call 2-1-1- or text your zip code to 898211. You can also contact the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258 which offers the same services.
You can also contact your insurance provider.
County Emergency Management Directors are compiling damage reports and may be aware of additional resources in their local communities to assist individuals or families in need. Contact information for County Emergency Management Directors is available on the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency website by clicking here.