Tagged: iowa

A new report on drought conditions shows 75 percent of Nebraska is in a severe drought.

The drought monitor report released last Thursday shows part of central Nebraska is in an extreme drought. The National Weather Service says it’s the worst drought since 1956 and the worst agricultural drought since 1988.

Temperatures are expected to remain above normal in to September, according to the report. Omaha set a record high Sunday of 105 degrees.

On July 1st, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a new law into effect.  Under the new “Move Over” Law, motorists who are ticketed and convicted for not moving over for emergency vehicles will face increased penalties. 

Kim Snook is with the Iowa Department of Transportation. She says the purpose of the law is to keep emergency vehicles and highway personnel safe while they do their work.  Snook says there are two simple rules everyone should follow.

The Salvation Army of Omaha plans to have three cooling centers open this weekend as temperatures soar in to the upper 90s.

Salvation Army officials announced Friday that the Kroc Center, North Corps, and Lied Renaissance Center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm.

Those three locations will be open from 8am to 8pm as cooling centers Monday through Friday next week.

The National Weather Service expects a high temperature around 95 Saturday and 97 Sunday.