Updated 3/20 5pm

Update: 3/17 I have received so many amazing resources!!! This page will now be for those wanting to help and volunteer. Please see this page if you have been personally affected and need resources and help.

Updated 3/16/19 @ 2pm. Please continue to send shelter information and volunteer opportunities and this post will continue to be updated.

Nebraska:Honestly It’s Not For Everybody.

While that is our new tourism slogan, one thing is for sure right now.

Nebraskans… Honestly, We are Here For Everybody.

At least that should be our motto right now as we all look for ways to help those affected by the Nebraska flooding.

If you are living in Nebraska or have loved ones here right now, then you know exactly what is going on and it is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking.

In the Western Panhandle, where most of the state is dominated by agriculture and ranchers, farmers are having to evacuate their homes. Except they have nowhere to go because all roads are completely shut down.

They face devasting floods to their homes and livelihoods, but oh wait, there’s also a freaking blizzard barreling down on them.

I can’t even fathom what my fellow Nebraskans are feeling and fearing right now.

There are reports of cattle running on highways to get away from the flood. There are videos being posted of calves (it is currently calving season, meaning there are countless newborns and expecting Mamas) being frozen to the ground. Or videos, like this, where cattle is stuck under feet of snow.

And while we over here in Eastern Nebraska aren’t staring in the face of a blizzard, the flooding is reaching us now, too. And it is reported that this weekend is only going to get worse as levys break and snowmelt from surrounding states pummel down the Platte and Elkhorn rivers into our communities.

But being born and raised here in Nebraska, there is one thing I know for sure.

Us Nebraskans are tough. But beyond being #NebraskaStrong, we are some of the most kind hearted, generous, down to Earth people you’ll often meet.

So, Nebraskans, it’s time to step up and see what we can do to help our fellow neighbors. These natural disasters are going to have lasting effects on our infrastructure, tax dollars, travel tourism, family’s livelihoods, personal homes, individual’s jobs, and businesses.

We are going to be feeling the effects of this for a while whether you have water raging at your door or not.

So no, right now, no, Nebraska isn’t for everyone, but I can tell you that everyone in Nebraska is ready and willing to help.

Which one of these can you step up and do to help your neighbors and Nebraskans?

(Please note, I’d like to continue to edit and add to this list as new opportunities arise. Please send a Direct Message on Facebook or comment below with any further information you might have and this post will be updated to reflect that ASAP)

How To Help Nebraska Flood Victims

If you are a flood victim and need resources, please see this guide and know that we all have your in our thoughts. #NebraskaStrong

Please Remember

Right now, Nebraska is still in rescue mode. Gasoline and money for gasoline for recovery efforts are actually the most vital donation item right now.

You can paypal money to rescue efforts for gas funds. Paypal to: [email protected]

EVERY small item is appreciated. A survivor of tornado damage in the past mentioned in a Facebook post that every toothbrush, every small item was never under-appreciated. Please remember this when thinking about donating. All victims are greatly appreciated.

Rescue Requests

If you know someone who is in immediate need of rescue, please fill out this form and volunteers will find ways to get them help. (Note: Extreme Emergency Situations, call 911 first)

Donate To Nebraska Flood Relief

Nebraska Farm Bureau

Donate to the farmers affected. This is their livelihoods. So many have lost their animals, crops and therefore, income.

Donate Here.

United Way

When you donate to United Way, they will give 100% of the donated money to nonprofit programs that go towards emergency shelter, food and more right here in our Nebraskan communities

Text: FLOODRELIEF to 41444 to donate money

United Way of the Midlands is even more local. Call 2-1-1 to see what you can do to help

United Methodist Committee On Relief

100% of all funds go towards the Nebraska floods if you use the code #975/420101. Donate Here

American Red Cross

You can call, text or go online to donate

Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS

Text: Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

There are shelters set up across the state. To see the current list, please see our Flood Victims Resource Guide

Salvation Army

Contact your local Salvation Army to see what you can donate to help those in your local communities

Omaha Salvation Army is currently taking donations.

Omaha Drop Off and Donation Center at 84th and Center (Former Canfields)

Items Requested: shovels, hammers, gloves, dust masks, mops, buckets, bleach, cleaning supplies, tarps

Food: Prepackaged food items (packaged snacks, bottled water, sports drinks, etc)

Hours:

Saturday :9 a.m.-7 p.m

Sun: 12pm-7 p.m.

Mon-Fri, March 16- 22: Noon-6 p.m.

If you are on Facebook, please consider sharing on your feed this fundraiser, started by Alex Stepanek.

Alex has been posting devasting photos of flood damage and is saying that all proceeds will go state agencies and into the communities needing it most.

Santee Reservation

The Santee reservation is in desperate need. There is no drinking water and the people are hurting badly.

Please contact: Derek LaPointe, Tribal Treasurer 108 Spirit Lake Ave Niobrara, NE 68760

Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska

You can donate by check or online. Please designate “Flood Relief” on both the check or online in the “specific designation of your gift.”

Nebraska Synod

The “Evangelical Church in North America” has a fund set up. Get more info here

Grand Island Community Foundation

Proceeds will go towards communities in Central Nebraska affected by the flooding. Go to GICF.org for more information.

Valley Days Foundation

Donate to the rebuilding of Valley

Angels Among Us

The founder of Angels Among Us has reached out and is wanting to help communities. If your community does not have fresh drinking water, is devasted by the floods, etc. Please reach out to Julz who is ready to bring up truckloads of water, food, resources of any type, etc.

Please Contact Julz (Logistics Coordinator of Angels Among Us)

Phone:530-616-8228

Clothing Drop Offs

Burwell (Garfield County). Normal Roasting Company in Burwell is also accepting cleaning supplies, trash bags, etc

Loup Rivers Scenic Byway Interpretive Center (Burwell): Clothing, boots, coveralls, work jeans, new men’s & women’s socks

Columbus: Eternal Ink and Columbus Skeeter Barnes is doing a drop off donation of food, water, cleaning supplies, clothes, shoes, bathroom items etc.

Davey: Otte Oil and Propane is going to have trailers to accept and deliver donations

Address: 3435 Maple St

Food Donations

Salvation Army Drop Off Points: See local Salvation Army to see where they are accepting items

Scratchtown Brewing Co (Ord): Accepting food donations for the Ord Food Pantry

David City: You can donate items (food, clothing, cleaning supplies, etc) all week at the Butler County Fairgrounds

Flights

Many people are offering their own private chartered flights for rescue efforts as well as to drop supplies.

The following airports are all doing flights. You can contact them for rescue efforts as well as drop off supplies at these locations.

Millard

Wahoo

Fremont

Angel Flight Central Volunteers

Here is a great volunteer effort for pilots, more info here.

Volunteer Efforts

Sandbagging

Communities all along the Platte and Elkhorn rivers are working tirelessly to sandbag and all are looking for volunteers. Contact the National Guard and local law enforcement to see where you can help

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency: (402)471-7421

Civilian Volunteer Organization

This group will take your information and place you where you would be most beneficial based on your location as well as skills. Fill out the form here.

Remote Volunteers

If you are not local but would like to help Nebraska, please fill out these form and they will contact you with opportunities.

Orphan Grain Train

Orphan Grain Train is a Christian volunteer network that ships donated food, clothing, medical and other needed items to people. You can volunteer or donate specifically to the Nebraska cause here.

Lodging

AirBnB

If you have a spare room, or shoot, a spare air mattress, please consider someone staying a night or two in your home.

It’s never easy sharing your house with an absolute stranger but imagine yourself in their shoes. You’d just be immensely grateful for a roof and warmth.

Sign Up Here To List Your Home

Find a Free AirBnB Home If You Have Been Displaced

Ashland

Carol Joy Holling Conference and Retreat Center is opening up rooms and space at no cost to those displaced. There is limited availability up to a week and is on a first come first serve basis. (No Pets)

Phone: 402-944-2544

Omaha and Metro Area

Papillion

Walnut Creek Camping

Open spots available for those displaced.

Facebook

Lifegate Church

Lifegate will be opening an Evacuee Reception Center. You can use this as a place to rest, charge your phones and just gather yourself and support.

Open from 1-8pm

Bellevue

Calvary Christian Church (Calvary North Building), 10100 Cedar Island Rd, Bellevue, NE 68123. The entrance to the shelter will be on the northeast side of the building.

Thanksgiving Church (36th and Hwy 370)

Charge phones, stay warm, eat, etc.

Sat Noon-9pm

Sunday 7am – 7 pm

Monday – Friday next week 7am – 9 pm

Lincoln

Staybridge Suites (N. 27th St and 1-80) is offering discounted rates for those affected by the flooding

Lancaster Event Center: Campground lots with 30/50 amp electric with water and dump stations available.

Fremont

Iglesia Dios es Amor (525 Union)

Contact: Jazmin Hernandez 402-620-1536

Temporary Red Cross Shelter: First Lutheran Church, 3200 Military Avenue.

Animal Assistance

Nebraska Humane Society

NHS is helping with pets of the evacuees. They can not take large animals (like horses) but CAN help with arrangements!

Phone: (402) 444-7800 or visit http://www.nehumanesociety.org/

Lusco Farms

Lusco Farms is doing AMAZING rescues and recoveries of animals. If you haven’t checked out their Facebook Page, you need to do so (Warning: If you have even the softest of spots for animals, some of the videos are heartbreaking)

There are several donations set up to help the farm with their phenomenal efforts. Here is one.

Salem Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa

They are accepting both people and their small animals for temp lodging. Comfort is minimal (cots) and they do have a limited supply of cots for people, but we appreciate them opening their doors!

Check for Availability by Phone: (712) 366-1408

Large Animals

Lancaster County Fairgrounds

The Lancaster Event Center has available staff and livestock equipment available for horses, cattle, sheep and goat. There is equipment and stalls for cows with calves.

Poultry, rabbits and other small animals can also be housed here as well.

Texas Assistance

Amanda Lee, a fellow farmer located in North Central Texas just south of Fort Worth has 7 acres of farmland that she is ready and willing to help take large animal and livestock for the time being. She is accepting large animals, horses, and birds!

Message Amanda on Facebook or email at [email protected]

Other Assistance For Those Affected By the Nebraska Floods

Uhaul Storage

I-80 & Manawa (Iowa)

721 32nd Ave.

(712) 366-9401

48 & Vine U-Haul (Lincoln)

740 N. 48th St.

(402) 466-8135

North Lincoln

1930 Fletcher Ave.

(402) 488-1930

L St U-Haul (Omaha)

8616 L St.

(402) 592-2230

Millard Ave. (Omaha)

4868 S. 135th St.

(402) 896-2410

Millard Stonybrook (Omaha)

5808 S. 144th St.

(402) 596-9771

North Downtown (Omaha)

1006 N. 18th St.

(402) 506-9729

West Maple St. (Omaha)

8920 Maple St.

(402) 392-0440

Contact: Andrea Batchelor or Jeff Lockridge

E-mail: pu[email protected]

Phone: 602-263-6981

Local Communities

Dannebrog (Howard CO)

Any sort of help is being greatly appreciated. Even just your time and talents are of great help. Tools, supplies, and money is also welcome.

Contact Lori: (308) 380-1153 [email protected]

Fremont (Dodge CO)

As the levy finally broke, people in this area are in great need. You can donate to Trinity Lutheran Church-MoSynod , which is now an emergency shelter. They are in need of prepackaged foods, bottled water, personal toiletries, and monetary assistance.

Please take items to United Way (445 E 1st St)

Facebook Groups To Join To Volunteer and Find Out Where You Can Help

Cowboy 911: This group is specifically to help farmers and ranchers

How You Can Help Support Flood Victims/Nebraska Now and After The Floods

Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is starting to collect information for volunteers. Once the initial damage is done, the organization will start helping to rebuild. Sign up here

West Anna Boutique is donating 100% profits of these “Pray For Nebraska” tees to the Central Nebraska Disaster Relief Fund and to aid flood victims.

Triple Blessed Boutique is giving 100% proceeds to relief efforts in Custer County and surrounding areas

If You are In Potential Flooding Zones In Nebraska

Road Closures Due To Nebraska Flooding

Stay up to date with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to see what roads are closed due to the floods across all of Nebraska.

Review What To Do

This is a phenomenal outline of what to do if you are in the path of a potential flood, including what to do to minimize effects for when you return if, God forbid, you do get hit by the flooding.

HEAD EVACUATION NOTICES!

I can’t stress this enough! If you are in an evacuation zone, don’t take it lightly. Please help first responders by not putting theirs and your own lives at risk.

Be Prepared To Leave Quickly

Don’t get caught in a panic, If you are in a flood watch or warning area, have a bag ready to go and your personal IDs packed. We all hope you won’t need to leave, but just in case, it is better to be prepared. Make sure to have things like vital medications. As hard as it is, don’t worry about material possessions, they can be replaced.

Start Documenting Your Home

Take as many photos of rooms and valuables as possible if you are not in immediate flood. Anything that is of value, attempt to put at higher locations

Know Evacuation Routes

If you need to leave your home, be sure not to head straight into a danger zone. Drive away from the rivers or flash flooding areas.

Do NOT Attempt To Cross Any Waters (Even ones that don’t look dangerous)

Many roads get washed out underneath and you’d have no idea until you were in danger. Find a different route