Gov. Jim Pillen has requested FEMA public assistance for eight counties affected by flooding from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. The SBA has separately approved a disaster declaration for Douglas County.
By Hola Nebraska
LINCOLN, Nebraska — Gov. Jim Pillen has requested a federal disaster declaration after severe flooding caused more than $23 million in estimated damage across eight Nebraska counties between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, 2026. The request, announced Tuesday, Oct. 27, seeks Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance to help communities repair damaged infrastructure and cover eligible recovery costs.
The FEMA request has not yet received confirmed federal approval. Separately, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for Douglas County to facilitate low-interest disaster loans for eligible applicants affected by the same flooding.
Eight Nebraska counties are included in the FEMA request
The governor requested federal public assistance for the following counties:
- Douglas County
- Fillmore County
- Lancaster County
- Saline County
- Sarpy County
- Saunders County
- Seward County
- Thayer County
According to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the flooding damaged roads, bridges, water-control facilities, electrical distribution infrastructure, schools, public buildings and equipment.
Lancaster, Saunders and Thayer counties also reported extensive debris requiring removal.
Preliminary damage assessments have exceeded $23 million, and officials say the total could increase as evaluations continue. The amount represents estimated damage, not funding already approved or awarded by FEMA.
FEMA assistance would cover eligible public recovery costs
Pillen’s request concerns FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, which helps eligible state, local and tribal governments, along with certain nonprofit organizations, recover qualifying disaster-response and infrastructure-repair expenses.
If the federal declaration is approved and individual projects meet program requirements, the funding could support repairs to damaged roads, bridges, public facilities and other eligible infrastructure.
The request does not involve FEMA Individual Assistance payments to homeowners or renters. The $23 million damage estimate should not be interpreted as an amount available for direct household grants.
Under FEMA’s public assistance process, the affected areas must be covered by a qualifying presidential disaster or emergency declaration before the requested federal assistance can become available.
NEMA’s Public Assistance Program coordinates eligible recovery projects and federal reimbursement procedures for qualifying entities in Nebraska.
SBA approves separate disaster declaration for Douglas County
In addition to seeking FEMA assistance, Pillen requested an SBA disaster declaration for Douglas County. The state reported damage to at least 25 homes or businesses during the flooding, with uninsured losses meeting the threshold cited in the request.
The SBA approved the Douglas County declaration, according to an update added to NEMA’s official Oct. 27 announcement. The approval is intended to facilitate access to low-interest disaster loans for flood-affected homes and businesses. News Channel Nebraska also reported that the governor’s office confirmed the approval.
The SBA program is separate from FEMA Public Assistance. Depending on the specific declaration and program requirements, SBA disaster loans may help eligible homeowners, renters, businesses and certain private nonprofit organizations recover from qualifying losses.
These are loans that generally must be repaid, not automatic grants or reimbursement checks. Approval of the disaster declaration does not guarantee financing for every affected household or business.
The SBA disaster assistance program provides information about eligibility, loan applications and financing terms. The SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center can be reached at 800-659-2955.
As of Oct. 28, the sources reviewed did not establish a declaration-specific application deadline, interest rate or official SBA disaster number for the October flooding. Applicants should consult the terms of this specific declaration rather than using deadlines from earlier Nebraska disasters.
Flooding prompted 80 water rescues in Omaha
Thunderstorms beginning Sept. 30 caused widespread flash flooding across eastern and southeastern Nebraska. Rainfall was especially significant in Douglas and Lancaster counties.
In Omaha, emergency responders reported 80 water rescues during the flooding, according to NEMA.
Lincoln also experienced record rainfall. On Sept. 30, Lincoln Airport recorded 6.15 inches of rain in one day, setting an all-time single-day precipitation record, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record was 5.45 inches, set in 1910.
Pillen signed a state emergency proclamation on Oct. 1, allowing Nebraska resources to support flood response and recovery operations. That state action did not itself authorize the federal assistance requested on Oct. 27.
FEMA’s decision on the eight-county request remains pending
As of the information available Oct. 28, Nebraska was still seeking the presidential authorization necessary for FEMA Public Assistance in the eight counties. NEMA had not confirmed federal approval or a funding award for that request.
State and local officials are continuing damage assessments and recovery work while the request is considered. Any subsequent federal declaration would establish which counties and categories of public assistance are authorized.
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