WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) sent a letter to President Donald Trump in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s (R-Neb.) request for a major disaster declaration for areas impacted by severe storms occurring on March 18th and 19th.
During that time period, severe thunderstorms, blizzards, and straight-line winds caused extensive damage across the state. Overall, the storms inflicted over $64.8 million in damages to electrical distribution infrastructure and facilities in impacted counties.
Specifically, Governor Pillen’s request follows storms that affected Boone, Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nuckolls, Otoe, Platte, Polk, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Webster, and York counties.
A copy of the delegation’s letter to President Trump is below and a signed copy is here.
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration, which followed the storms occurring on March 18th and 19th, for the Nebraska counties of Boone, Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nuckolls, Otoe, Platte, Polk, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Webster, and York. We also support Governor Pillen’s request for Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Severe thunderstorms, blizzards, and straight-line winds caused extensive damage across the state. Overall, the storms inflicted over $64.8 million in damages to Nebraska’s electrical distribution infrastructure and facilities.
This winter blizzard was one of the most destructive winter storms to impact Nebraska in recent history, and more than 200,000 customers lost power across Nebraska. Additionally, many of the impacted communities are continuing to recover from declared disasters during the last calendar year. We encourage the federal government to join with the state in their ongoing restoration efforts.
We stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.
