Governor Pillen asks for federal aid for early summer storms – KCSR/KBPY

Gov. Jim Pillen has asked President Joe Biden for a federal disaster declaration because of damage from a series of storms that hit nearly 20 counties from May 20 through June 3.

The request includes the following counties: Burt, Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Fillmore, Hamilton, Hayes, Hitchcock, Howard, Keith, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Saunders and Washington. Damage to public infrastructure in those combined counties is estimated at more than $11.5 million.

Lincoln County, which was included in a state disaster declaration along with 17 other counties, did not qualify for the federal request because it did not meet the threshold for assistance. Gov. Pillen’s mid-June state declaration freed up state funds and resources to help counties hit by severe thunderstorms, high winds, multiple tornadoes, heavy rains and flooding.

At the same time, Governor Pillen requested an extension to file the federal disaster declaration, which was granted. This gave state and federal emergency managers time to conduct a full damage assessment in the affected counties.