Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) sent a letter to President Joe Biden in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s (R-Neb.) request for a major disaster declaration for areas impacted by severe storms in Nebraska’s Panhandle early last month.
Specifically, Governor Pillen’s request follows storms on April 6 and 7, 2024, that affected Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, and Sioux Counties.
The strong winter storm system produced freezing rain, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that resulted in widespread power outages across the Panhandle. Many Nebraskans suffered without electricity for nearly a week.
Five utility systems were impacted by the storm, resulting in 2,000 downed or broken power poles and damage to system hardware. Overall, damages are estimated to exceed $10.5 million.
A copy of the delegation’s letter to President Biden is below and a signed copy isavailable here.
President Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration, which followed the storms occurring on April 6 and 7, 2024, for the Nebraska counties of Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux.
A strong winter storm system produced freezing rain, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that resulted in widespread power outages across Nebraska’s Panhandle. Many Nebraskans suffered without electricity for nearly a week. Five utility systems were impacted by the storm, resulting in 2,000 downed or broken power poles and damage to system hardware. Overall, damages are estimated to exceed $10.5 million.
Nebraskans continue to demonstrate their resilience as our state works to recover from several devastating severe weather systems in recent weeks. We ask for the federal government’s assistance in helping our state’s recovery efforts, particularly with replacing and repairing important public infrastructure.
Once again, we stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.
Sincerely,
Specifically, Governor Pillen’s request follows storms on April 6 and 7, 2024, that affected Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, and Sioux Counties.
The strong winter storm system produced freezing rain, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that resulted in widespread power outages across the Panhandle. Many Nebraskans suffered without electricity for nearly a week.
Five utility systems were impacted by the storm, resulting in 2,000 downed or broken power poles and damage to system hardware. Overall, damages are estimated to exceed $10.5 million.
A copy of the delegation’s letter to President Biden is below and a signed copy isavailable here.
President Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration, which followed the storms occurring on April 6 and 7, 2024, for the Nebraska counties of Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux.
A strong winter storm system produced freezing rain, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that resulted in widespread power outages across Nebraska’s Panhandle. Many Nebraskans suffered without electricity for nearly a week. Five utility systems were impacted by the storm, resulting in 2,000 downed or broken power poles and damage to system hardware. Overall, damages are estimated to exceed $10.5 million.
Nebraskans continue to demonstrate their resilience as our state works to recover from several devastating severe weather systems in recent weeks. We ask for the federal government’s assistance in helping our state’s recovery efforts, particularly with replacing and repairing important public infrastructure.
Once again, we stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.
Sincerely,
