Deadly Tornados Strike the Midwest

LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 26, 2004 (ENS) - States across the Midwest are mopping up from a weekend of devastating tornados and rainstorms that destroyed homes and flooded whole towns.

Nineteen confirmed tornadoes hit southern Nebraska Saturday night, destroying the towns of Hallam, Claytonia and Firth. One injury and one death were reported.

Governor Mike Johanns, a Republican, said, “There’s no other way to describe the damage to the community of Hallam other than to say it is total devastation. Cars are overturned, trees have been uprooted and stripped bare, homes have been torn from their foundation, power lines are down and gas lines are leaking. Essentially, the town has been leveled. It’s truly a miracle that more people were not hurt or killed."

Preliminary damage assessments show an estimated 158 homes destroyed and 57 homes with major damage. Local first responders are reporting significant infrastructure damage to the public power system as well.

On Monday, President George W. Bush granted Governor Johanns request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Nebraska.

Michael Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the President ordered the aid immediately after receiving FEMA’s analysis of the state’s expedited request for federal relief. The declaration covers damage to private property from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes beginning on May 20.

“President Bush acted quickly because he knows that people need help now to recover from these devastating storms,” Brown said. “The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA will do all we can to make sure that everyone in need of assistance receives it as fast and efficiently as possible.”

Following the declaration, Brown designated the counties of Cass, Gage, Lancaster and Saline eligible for federal aid to stricken residents and businesses owners.

The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Iowa was hardest hit by rainstorms and flooding and a wave of tornadoes that swept through over the weekend, killing at least one person and damaging nearly 50 homes.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, issued a disaster declaration for Fremont County on Monday, bringing the total number of declared counties to 24.

Governor Vilsack asked for a Presidential disaster declaration on Sunday, but to date no Presidential declaration has been made.

“Unfortunately many victims will have a long road of recovery ahead of them," said Red Cross Disaster spokesman Ray Steen, "and the Red Cross is working to provide whatever help they need to get life as close to normal again as possible.”