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By TJ Chrastil
From: Nebraska City News Press
State Senator Ben Nelson made a visit to Nebraska City on July 15 to speak with city officials about the effects of the flooding of the Missouri river, speak about government assistance and view the effects of the flood on the water treatment facility and Omaha Public Power District's Nebraska City plant.
“I've been to Nebraska City on many occasions but this particular occasion is clearly more serious because of the flood and because of the consequences in how we're dealing with it, I'd rather be here under other circumstances,” he said. “You're not closed down and you want people to know that... I think that's not only a wise move but I think it is appropriate.”
Senator Nelson spoke about legislation on the table to help local governments, businesses and residents with the costs associated with the flood. “The governor submitted a disaster declaration request which I hope will be promptly handled in Washington, we sent a follow on letter with it saying please handle it expeditiously... That will help with the cost of some of the remediation that will be out their but also some of the protection.”
He continued, “There is hope along the way through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and through the federal crop insurance and the federal flood program to help a lot of people who would not otherwise have help.” Nelson said that Governor Dave Heineman had also requested individual assistance but stated that there is a very “technical” level that has to be achieved for people with uninsured and non-covered losses.
“There is a threshold that has to be met,” said Nelson. One of the things we'd like to do is see everyone whole from this... that’s not possible. You know what’s going on in Washington right now already with spending, so now we're going to have to do whatever we can, the best we can, with whatever we have to help the communities, OPPD, farms, the homes and people who are adversely affected by it.
Nelson continued, “It's a finite amount... We're going to have to do everything we can to make sure it stretches as far as we can make it stretch.
In regards to a timeline being set for flood relief Nelson said, “There's a lot of concern... for next spring’s runoff from snow melt and unanticipated and anticipated rains, that you have to have the capacity to be able to hold that back for next year. So there's a point where they probably can't release water at any level because of ice jams in the winter, but I suspect that they're going to release water at some level from now for quite a while.”
While Senator Nelson was in Nebraska City he visited the Nebraska City water treatment facility and OPPD power plant to view the effects of the flood on their operations.
“I'm hopeful that the Federal Emergency management funds will come in but I know they're doing everything they can to make it work,” said Nelson. “I don't think we've ever seen the Missouri River look like a lake. That's a new experience for us.”
“We have some challenges and we have some inconveniences and a lot of annoyances,” said Nelson. “But people are responding to it very, very, positively and that’s the sort of thing, the Nebraska spirit, that will get us through these challenging times.”
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