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The Air Force now says it needs at least $420 million to clean up Offutt Air Force Base and repair or replace structures damaged in the March floods, a senior Air Force official told The World-Herald Wednesday.

John Henderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and energy, said about 60 structures were damaged beyond repair and must be torn down — including the longtime headquarters of the 55th Wing, the largest military unit on the base. They were damaged by floodwaters that reached as high as 9 feet in some buildings, and by a toxic sludge left behind when they receded.

“It wasn’t just the water, it was what was in the water,” Henderson said.

The latest cost is higher than the $350 million estimate issued last month by outgoing Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. At the time, she called that figure “an initial planning estimate,” and it was part of a $4.9 billion funding request that also would cover reconstruction of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. Hurricane Michael nearly leveled the base with Category 5 winds last fall.