Following the Biden Administration’s approval of a federal disaster declaration tied to tornadoes in eastern Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen has requested a similar declaration for Panhandle counties impacted by winter storm conditions on April 6 and 7.
The most significant damage was to power systems, with the five impacted utility systems reporting more than 2,000 broken or downed power poles, as well as damage to other system hardware.
A preliminary estimate puts the cost of damage at more than $10.5 million, and a disaster declaration would free up federal funding to help cover costs to repair or replace public infrastructure.
The request includes Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux counties.
