‘All hands on deck’: City of Lincoln touts response to destructive storm
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The City of Lincoln hosted a press conference Thursday to discuss several agencies’ response to last night’s storm.
Leaders from Lincoln Transportation and Utilities, Lincoln Parks and Rec, Lincoln Police, Lincoln Fire & Rescue and the Lincoln Electric System spoke at the press conference.
Strong winds swept through Lincoln Wednesday night, leaving thousands without power and causing damage across the city.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said the agencies were “all hands on deck” in their response to the storm.
Parks Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross said the city’s urban canopy damage is “significant and visible.” She added that crews will be out until the clean-up is finished.
People are encouraged to use the UPLNK app to report tree issues, but you can also call 402-441-7847.
Stuckey-Ross reminded Lincolnites that tree debris on private property is the property owner’s responsibility.
People can take debris for free to the following locations until Aug. 19:
- Holmes Lake – north shore parking lot
- Seng Park – south of the ballfield
- Woods Park – south lot off of J Street
- Oak Lake Park – main lot
- Hoefling Enterprises – 2200 S. Folsom Ct.
All city golf courses are open, but numerous trees and debris are scattered across the courses. Stuckey-Ross said Pioneers Golf Course was hit the hardest.
“Widespread” damage has also been reported at parks and trails in Lincoln. Pools and recreational centers are open and have regular hours.
Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow said calls started coming into the emergency communications center around 4 p.m.
From 4 p.m. to midnight, the agency’s communication team received over 1,800 calls, including more than 700 calls to 911.
“That far exceeds the call volume on a day-to-day basis,” Morrow said.
Those reports included crashes, fires, traffic hazards and property damage. There were no reports of injuries, according to Morrow.
The storm also caused “extensive” damage to the Omaha Public Power District’s system, which powers Lincoln’s 44 wellfields in Ashland.
LTU then announced that the community needed to stop outdoor water use and voluntarily reduce indoor water use.
But those restrictions were lifted Thursday morning after Elliott said the city’s wellfields returned to “sufficient capacity for normal water use.”
