Ricketts says efforts continue to aid Boyd County residents left without running water

Governor Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that efforts will continue to help with flood relief in Boyd County. 

“We’ve got boots on the ground up there,” Ricketts told Channel 8 Eyewitness News. “I was in Lynch a couple of weeks ago to help bring in supplies. Right now, again, we’re working to be able to continue to bring those supplies like bottled water there.” 

Boyd County officials are asking for help raising money to restore water to residents. 

Following the collapse of the Spencer Dam earlier this month, hundreds of people have been left without running water, said Rex Black, Board President of Boyd County Rural Water District #2. Black said the dam collapse wiped out the main water line that provided water to nearly the entire county. 

While donated water is providing temporary relief, Black said the county is trying to raise enough money to bore a new water line – estimated to cost $1.1 million. The Boyd County Rural Water District is asking for help raising $400,000 to pay for its share of the project. 

Black said some Boyd County communities are expected to be without water for another four to eight weeks. He said county officials are expecting some aid from FEMA, but that it won’t be enough to cover expenses. 

County officials have set up a GoFundMe to help raise money. It had raised around $9,000 as of Thursday morning. Black said checks can also be sent to the address below.

Boyd County Rural Water District #2 Disaster Fund
Farmer’s State Bank
P.O. Box 217
Spencer, NE 68777