Pillen requests federal disaster declaration for mid-May storms in central Nebraska
Pillen requests federal disaster declaration for mid-May storms in central Nebraska mps-post Fri, 06/19/2026 - 10:00 Image (Nebraska Examiner) Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is requesting that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration in the wake of severe storms that hit central Nebraska in mid-May. Pillen’s request follows tornadoes, extreme straight-line winds and flash flooding May 15-18 across eight counties. If approved, federal funding would assist in covering costs from damage to public infrastructure. Damage estimates exceed $4.9 million. Image © iStock - dk_photos The requested declaration is for Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. There were downed power poles and lines and reported damage to schools, buildings and roadways, and emergency shelters were necessary in some areas where residents were displaced, a Pillen news release states. The process of securing federal disaster aid can be uncertain, as detailed in pr
