Nebraska eligible for portion of $13.45B disaster relief fund for flooding

Nebraska is eligible for a portion of emergency funds included in a disaster relief bill passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday. 

The measure provides $13.45 billion in supplemental funding for states and territories recently ravaged by tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. The Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to the legislation Tuesday.

Portions of the bill Nebraska would be eligible for include funds for ag producers who experienced losses during the flooding. Producers could apply to receive up to $125,000, and some could receive more if three quarters or more of their income is derived from farming or other ag business. 

Nebraska communities, tribes, and organizations could also be eligible for dollars that would go toward flood mitigation, disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure. 

An exact dollar amount to be allocated to Nebraska was not determined. 

Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse released a statement Tuesday regarding the bill. 

“While the most important work is going to happen at home in our communities, it’s good to have federal help,” Sasse said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the initial down payment in this disaster aid bill. Our state has a long road to recovery, but Nebraskans will get the job done.”

Senator Deb Fischer also released a statement saying, “The legislation released today includes a down payment to help Nebraska ag producers and communities rebuild and recover from the catastrophic damage. This is a good start, but we have a long road ahead and I’m going to continue to fight for Nebraska every step of the way.” 

Click here for information about other programs for which Nebraska has been made eligible in the disaster relief bill.