By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – Platte and Sarpy Counties are among almost two dozen counties declared disaster areas after heavy snow in December and January.
The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency announced the disaster declaration Tuesday. Spokeswoman Jodie Fawl says two types of assistance are available to the counties declared disasters. Platte and Sarpy have been declared snow counties--meaning they can receive federal money to recoup the costs of snow removal during a 48 continuous hour period after the storms.
Assistance is also available to pay for repairs to public property and right-of-ways damaged by the snow storms. Fawl says the counties will receive an estimated $11 million total.
Wednesday, Governor Dave Heineman also asked for a disaster declaration due to an estimated $10.8 million in damage from early spring flooding.