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(Lincoln, NE) Nebraska, two of its communities and its private disaster relief partners are preparing today for the possibility that Nebraska might soon be called upon to accept evacuees fleeing the Gulf Coast region because of Hurricane Rita.
The state has been asked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) how many people Nebraska could shelter and serve on short notice. In coordination with local leaders and private relief agencies, state officials have relayed that Nebraska could shelter up to 700 storm evacuees with 12 hours notice, sending up to 500 to Omaha’s Civic Auditorium and as many as 200 to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Lincoln.
Gov. Dave Heineman and Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, Nebraska’s Director of Homeland Security, have asked the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other state, local and private agencies to prepare for the possibility of reopening temporary shelters.
“We stress preparedness, communication and cooperation in Nebraska, and we are working through the appropriate channels to make sure we are as ready as possible,” Gov. Heineman said. “Our neighbors may soon need our assistance, and we will do what we can to help.”
Federal officials gave no indication of whether or when Nebraska could receive evacuees. The state emergency operations center has been activated and will be staffed by NEMA around-the-clock until further notice.
PLEASE NOTE: Members of the media will be notified once Nebraska has been informed of whether FEMA plans to send evacuees to Nebraska.
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