LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency says damage assessments are underway in South Central Nebraska and are urging victims to continue documenting losses they've suffered.
They say officials in the affected counties will collect the information and forward it the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency to include in statewide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief requests. They urge people to take photos and videos to document the damages.
You can read the full release below:
Damage assessments are ongoing in the south central counties affected by heavy rains and flooding July 8-12. Local governments and individuals are urged to continue to document damage that occurred as a result of flooding. Local emergency management offices will compile information on the damage that occurred in individual counties and that information will be forwarded to Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.
Gov. Pete Ricketts declared a disaster May 16 and continuing into July for tornadoes, flooding and severe weather that has affected the state. The recent flooding in south central Nebraska will be included in any request that the State makes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The governor’s declaration allows state resources to be used to respond to and recover from the severe weather that has effected the state.
Emergency management officials recommend recording details of flood damage by photograph or video, if possible. Individuals should register the amount of damage to their homes with both their insurance agency and local emergency management offices. A listing of local emergency management directors can be found on the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency website at:https://nema.nebraska.gov/overview/county-emergency-management-directorscoordinators [nema.nebraska.gov].
Nebraska residents of counties impacted by the recent flooding are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads and utilities, and other storm-related information, may be reported. The American Red Cross is already working to assess damage to homes in communities affected by last week’s flooding. According to the Red Cross:
- 99 percent of Red Cross damage assessments have been completed.
- 98 homes were destroyed or suffered major damage
- 55 homes had minor damage
- 52 cases were opened by the Red Cross, serving 146 clients
- The Red Cross estimates another 20 or more cases will be opened.
Two Red Cross disaster assessment teams are preparing for work in Buffalo and Dawson counties Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARCs).
The Small Business Administration also wants to remind people that they have one month left to apply for low-interest flood relief loans:
Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West today reminded private nonprofit organizations in the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska of the Aug. 16, 2019, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for property damage caused by severe storms and flooding that occurred March 13 – April 1, 2019. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.
According to Garfield, eligible private nonprofits of any size may apply for SBA federal disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
In addition, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help eligible private nonprofits meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the private nonprofit suffered any property damage. Private nonprofits have until March 17, 2020, to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
The interest rate is 2.75 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
