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Flood Mitigation Section


Flooding in the United States

Recent flood death data and Historic death and damage estimates.

Using the data supplied by NOAA at the above link:
  • Deaths from flooding have increased over time, and
  • Flood damages have increased over time

Flooding in Nebraska
NEW "The Flood Season of 1950: A Lesson in Nature's Extremes"
The Blizzard of 1949 and its Aftermath.
The Flood of 1963: Piecing Together the Flood of 1963

MAJOR FLOODS IN NEBRASKA HISTORY
Republican River flood of 1935
Missouri River floods
Salt Creek floods in Lincoln

FEDERALLY DECLARED FLOOD DISASTERS BY COUNTY
1960 to 2009 (jpg)

FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTERS (ALL HAZARDS) IN NEBRASKA (1999 to current)
County Declarations 1286 to 1853 (jpg)
County Declarations 1286 to 1853 (pdf)

All Presidentially-declared disasters receive a FEMA disaster number.

FEMA-1770-DR-NE - June 2008
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
68 Counties

FEMA-1765-DR-NE - May 2008
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
5 Counties

FEMA-1739-DR-NE - January 2008
Severe Winter Storm
8 Counties

FEMA-1721-DR-NE - August 2007
Severe Storms and Flooding
6 Counties

FEMA-1714-DR-NE - July 2007
Severe Storms and Flooding
15 Counties

FEMA-1706-DR-NE - June 2007
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
19 Counties

FEMA-1674-DR-NE - January 2007
New Years Ice Storm disaster
57 Counties

FEMA-1590-DR-NE - May 2005
Severe Storms and Flooding
Mostly Adams and Hall Counties

FEMA-1517-DR-NE - May 2004
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Saline, Lancaster, Gage, Cass
Secondary declarations for 26 additional counties

FEMA-1480-DR-NE - June/July 2003
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
18 counties

FEMA-1286-DR-NE - August 1999
Severe Storms and Flooding
Douglas, Washington, Burt


IS YOUR COMMUNITY AT RISK?
Click here for a listing of recorded severe weather or disaster events in your county.
Select "Nebraska," then enter the county of interest on the next page.
Events for specific communities in that county will be listed if known.

CURRENT FLOOD INFORMATION AND WARNINGS/WATCHES
Flood Warnings from NOAA
Current river flow/stage data by National Weather Service areas covering Nebraska:
Valley (eastern Nebraska)
Sioux Falls, SD (northeast Nebraska)
Hastings (central Nebraska)
North Platte (western Nebraska)
Goodland, KS (southwest Nebraska)
Current river flow and stage data - NATIONAL

SEVERE WEATHER
Recent rainfall totals (Click on area of national map to zoom in)
Most current DOPPLER RADAR for central midwest.

We know that disasters have occurred in the past and that they will continue to occur in the future. With this in mind, it makes sense to plan for these severe events and to mitigate their future damages.

Flood Mitigation is defined as a sustained action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from floods and their effects. Essentially, flood mitigation means to do something now to reduce or eliminate the flood threat. To do this, there are two main types of flood mitigation projects: structural and nonstructural.

As the name implies, structural techniques seek to build something in order to change or "control" the physical environment; therefore, common techniques are levees or floodwalls. The goal of structural flood mitigation is take the river away from the people. The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is the Federal agency charged with the construction and maintenance of major structural flood mitigation projects.

Nonstructural approaches are designed to change the way human interact with the flood problem and to remove structures from the floodplain or floodway. The goal of nonstructural flood mitigation is to take the people away from the river. The most prevalent nonstructural activities include: acquisition, relocation, or elevation of flood-prone structures. In cooperation with each State, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds several nonstructural flood mitigation programs.
These nonstructural programs are highlighted and explained below.



Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program

SUCCESS STORIES

Current FMA activities in Nebraska

Nebraska Community Flood Mitigation Planning Guidebook

The Guidebook leads the reader through the process of developing a
flood mitigation plan for a community.

WHAT IS A FLOOD MITIGATION PLAN?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is free computer software for viewing "Adobe Acrobat" (.PDF) files.


Other Flood Mitigation Programs and
Activities at the NDNR

We may not fund every flood mitigation plan,
but we do work with other agencies and use their money.


Community Rating System (CRS)
A way for communities to reduce flood vulnerability AND
their flood insurance premiums at the same time.

CRS Summary and Explanation (created by NDNR)


Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(Link to FEMA website explaining the HMGP)

Send mailHave questions about hazard mitigation? Send a message.


 

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