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(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today declared a state disaster in Butler County following a series of overnight storms that damaged rural properties in the Village of Surprise, Neb., as well as in other parts of Butler County.
Strong winds from a wide band of heavy thunderstorms caused damage to homes and other structures, and left a large area without power and communications, according to Butler County Emergency Manager Rick Schneider. A house-to-house search revealed no injuries.
"I want to thank the good people of Butler County for their hard work in response to these storms," Gov. Heineman said. "Properties suffered some damage, but we are grateful that our communities have suffered no loss of life or serious injury. State officials will assist in any way they can, but Surprise should be proud of its local response."
The emergency disaster declaration makes state funds available to assist with cleanup and restoration of infrastructure in the affected area. Although the village has no municipal water or sewer system, the disruption of regional electrical service left many individual property owners' water systems out of service.
A regional emergency operations center was established Friday night at the Surprise Fire Hall. Surprise is a village of 44 people in southwestern Butler County. Early estimates indicated that five families had been displaced by the storm, with the possibility for that figure to increase as damage assessments progress.
The Columbus Chapter of The American Red Cross was on-scene Friday night to provide disaster services to affected citizens, and portable sanitation facilities were delivered Saturday morning. The Butler County Sheriff's Office and the Nebraska State Patrol searched the affected areas and provided security, and fire departments across Butler County were requested to provide mutual aid in helping with debris removal and cleanup.
Precise dollar estimates of damage will become available once streets are cleared of trees and other debris and daylight allows local and state officials to assess the extent of the damage. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is assisting.
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