Governor, State Officials Give Update on Flood Disaster

BEATRICE - Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts today said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has now received Nebraska's request for a disaster declaration, for the massive flooding that has ravaged the state.
Ricketts says it is the most widespread disaster Nebraska has experienced, in its history.
http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/03/Disaster-Update1.mp3
:30 "people safe"
Ricketts met with Vice President Mike Pence, who came to Nebraska to view the damage first hand. The Governor says some preliminary damage figures have been compiled.
http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/03/Disaster-Update2.mp3
:28 "crop losses"
Ricketts says there is significant road and bridge losses and damaged levees. Ricketts announced that there is a number citizens can use to direct questions to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. That number is …..
1-402-817-1551
NEMA Assistant Director Bryan Tuma says some communities water systems are compromised, by the flooding disaster.
http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/03/Disaster-Update3.mp3
:14 "on that"
Tuma says the agency is also addressing medical mass care issues, including a hospital in Lynch which has been greatly impacted.
Adjutant General Daryl Bohac said at the state level, there have been no further rescue operations, although a first-time response was being conducted in eastern Nebraska.
http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/03/Disaster-Update4.mp3
:16 "and isolated"
Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Kyle Schneweis detailed the damage to about 20-percent of the state's transportation system, including damaged roads and bridges.
http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2019/03/Disaster-Update5.mp3
:49 "wisner and beemer"
At the peak of the floodwaters, Schneweis said about 15-hundred miles of highways were closed, with about two thousand miles impacted at one point. That doesn't count closures due to the blizzard that hit western Nebraska.