This landlocked state shouldn’t have any islands. But the deadly flooding that has deluged parts of Nebraska – and created islands where dry land should be – could get worse before it gets better.
“This really is the most devastating flooding we’ve probably ever had in our state’s history, from the standpoint of how widespread it is,” Gov. Pete Ricketts said Monday.
More than 8 million people are under flood warnings in the Midwest and the Mississippi River Valley, CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Monday that as of 6 p.m., 74 cities, four tribal areas and 65 counties have declared emergencies in the wake of flooding.
“Eastern Nebraska remains the hardest hit area, with much of the southeast part of the state under flood warnings,” he said.
The flooding has already killed two people in Nebraska and one man in Iowa. One woman was also killed in Nebraska during the flood, but investigators are looking into the cause of her death.
US Sen. Deb Fischer said in a statement Monday that Nebraska and Ricketts will send a request to President Donald Trump for disaster aid. However, Fischer said the request can’t be made until “damages are assessed fully.”
She said she would lead the Nebraska congressional delegation in a letter supporting the governor’s request.
“I want all Nebraskans to know that my office stands ready to do everything in our power to lend a helping hand in any way we can,” Fischer said.