LINCOLN — Nebraskans are rebuilding and repairing their homes, businesses and farms, as well as roads, bridges and schools.
As the focus turns toward long-term recovery from the March severe winter storm, straight-line winds and flooding, survivors have many resources available from local, state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to assist with unmet needs.
The agencies involved, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working to:
· Return businesses, including agriculture, enterprises and producers to a healthy state and develop new economic opportunities.
· Restore and improve health and social service networks.
· Rebuild and support affordable and accessible housing, including rural development.
· Restore and improve resilience of infrastructure systems.
· Protect natural and cultural resources and historic properties.
· Help plan for safer and more resilient communities.
Federal agencies include the U. S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency and Rural Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Small Business Administration and FEMA. For more disaster recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4420.
In Nebraska, six Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADS) in Boone, Butler, Colfax, Howard, Nance and Platte counties are converting to a regional Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG). A wide variety of nonprofits and FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) are helping survivors connect with the resources the LTRG is providing.
LTRGs are organizing and beginning work in Dodge, Washington and Platte counties, while Boyd, Saunders, Douglas and Sarpy county LTRGs are in the planning stage.
FEMA VALs support the effort by participating in meetings between volunteer groups and communities and by providing technical support and suggestions on how best to coordinate their current recovery efforts locally.
They also assist with their recovery strategy by providing best practices from National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and Nebraska Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
Some of the nonprofit groups supporting long-term recovery are, the American Red Cross, AmeriCorps, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Housing and homeless organizations, foundations and food banks also assist in long-term recovery efforts.
These volunteer and faith-based, civic service and community organizations, along with disability service, support and advocacy organizations comprise LTRGs. They help take care of unmet disaster-related needs of people who may need more time and resources to recover.
Nebraska survivors with unmet needs may contact:
- For property clean up contact the Crisis Clean Up Hotline: 833-556-2476
- For all other needs of assistance call Nebraska 211.
- To volunteer to help, please contact the volunteer coordination line: 402-898-6050.
— Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and FEMA
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