LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued a disaster declaration in response to the severe windstorms that struck Nebraska on July 9-10, 2021, knocking out electricity and causing extensive damages. The declaration allows for use of the Governor’s Emergency Fund in response to damage that occurred as a result of storms and high winds that downed power lines and trees and created power outages. The state declaration is needed to request a federal disaster declaration for public assistance.
The State of Nebraska and local agencies continue to conduct damage assessments. Once sufficient information is gathered, a request for Federal Public Assistance will be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regional office, then to FEMA headquarters, and finally to the White House for review and approval.