FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2005, 12:00 p.m. CT

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman has made a formal request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a joint public damage assessment with state and local officials as a result of the winter storms that struck Nebraska on Nov. 27 and 28. The assessment could occur as early as next week.

"It is important to assess the extent of public damage so we can help communities across Nebraska recover more quickly from these storms," Gov. Heineman said.

The Governor today declared a state of emergency to assist in the recovery process in storm-affected areas. A winter storm system moving through Nebraska produced strong winds and blowing and drifting snow. Fifteen Nebraska public power districts are reporting significant damage from the storms, and 29 counties have reported public damage.

Counties already reporting damage to public property and infrastructure are Antelope, Boone, Boyd, Buffalo, Chase, Dawson, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Garfield, Gosper, Greeley, Hayes, Holt, Howard, Keith, Knox, Lincoln, Madison, Nance, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Red Willow, Stanton, Valley, Wayne and Wheeler.

The Governor's disaster declaration begins the process that could lead to federal assistance. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) continues to work with local emergency managers to assess the full impact of the storm and its associated damages.

NEMA Assistant Director Al Berndt said that the counties impacted by the storms are in a long-term recovery mode, due to the extent of the damage. Berndt said, "All levels of Nebraska government are working together as we begin the recovery process."

"I would especially like to commend the Nebraska State Patrol and the Department of Roads, along with local government personnel, for their continuing efforts to ensure the safety of Nebraska's citizens and visitors," Gov. Heineman said.