Disaster declared for December storms
Insurance company says over 4,000 claims top $30 million
By News Channel NebraskaLINCOLN - Gov. Pete Ricketts reports that President Biden has approved Nebraska’s request for a federal disaster declaration related to high winds and tornadoes that struck Dec. 15.
The storm system downed power lines and damaged structures in Beatrice, Syracuse, Tecumseh, Nebraska City and Beaver Lake.
Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, the largest farm insurer, claims the storm will be one of the largest losses caused by a December storm in over 130 y ears. Over 4,000 claims top $30 million.
The federal disaster declaration authorizes public assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Adams, Buffalo, Burt, Cass, Cuming, Fillmore, Gage, Hamilton, Harlan, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Platte, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Thayer, Washington, and Webster counties.
Communities are eligible to apply for assistance for “emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.” Private property damages from the storm did not meet the threshold to trigger a request for individual assistance from FEMA.