By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – A forum Thursday in Omaha gave business owners the chance to ask questions about the city's flood preparedness efforts.
Members of Omaha's Unified Command, the Airport Authority, and utilities updated their respective groups' responses to the flood situation. The Missouri River remains more than six feet above flood stage at Omaha.
Airport Authority Executive Director Steve Coufal says 51 of 70 dewatering wells are drilled. Of those, 26 are online. He says the dewatering wells have dropped the ground water level at Eppley Airfield by two to seven feet.
Questions were asked about Omaha's inundation maps and when the Missouri River may begin to recede. Business leaders also asked about the condition of infrastructure when the water returns to normal levels. Officials say roads will have significant damage from flood water.
National Guard soldiers continue to monitor Omaha's 13-mile levee system around the clock. Omaha Public Works officials say 60 pumps are online in 21 locations removing excess water.