Beatrice pilots with community support fly supplies to Louisiana

As so many work to recover from Hurricane Ida, some Nebraskans decided to donate and load up a small plane full of supplies to help those in need. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — As so many work to recover from Hurricane Ida, some Nebraskans decided to donate and load up a small plane full of supplies to help those in need. 

“I mean we see pictures all of the time, but to actually be there flying over from that that bird’s eye view was, was crazy,” said Corina Lottman, a pilot. 

Two pilots are back home after collecting and delivering supplies to Louisiana. Corina Lottman says flying over the devastation hurricane Ida left is breathtaking and is glad she and others in Beatrice could give back. 

“So grateful for everybody that was willing to donate, even $10,” said Lottman. “Some people messaged me afterward and I know it’s not a lot, but I was very quick to say well that $10 bought me two you know, 50 count snack packs from Sam’s Club. So even a smaller amount goes a really long way. ” 

She connected with Aerobridge, an organization that connects pilots and airports across the U.S. to help deliver supplies after disaster strikes, like Hurricane Ida. 

Lottman reached out through Facebook for donations in Beatrice and received over $2,000 and other donations to support the flight. Her friend Anthony Chisano, having a slightly larger plane joined in the trip.  

“When we got there we were one of about 17 planes I had been there that day already,” said Lottman. “So they had other planes coming in delivering supplies so there was a lot of people available to help us unload super quick so we could get on our way. ”  

From above, she looked at the damage left from the storm in awe. 

“It was breathtaking when we were down there just flying over and seeing the devastation. It was pretty much flat all the houses were almost gone,” said Lottman.

 “All the ones that were still standing all had blue tarps, we thought that was interesting, they had blue roofs, which were the tarps that they had used to cover all the holes that were in their roof to help protect any further damage.” 

Corina says she plans to go a second time, flying out the remaining supplies to Louisiana this Wednesday. 

If you want to help this work continue, she says donate here. Or contact the Beatrice Airport at 402-223-5349.