We're only three months into 2019, and it's already shaping up to be the most difficult year any of us have seen. A number of factors contributed to massive, historic flooding that, so far, has caused more than $1 billion in damages and several deaths. Experts say the waters may not recede for at least another month. These photos and videos show just a small part of the devastation.
The stage was set for the historic flooding earlier in the winter when huge amounts of snow fell across the state. The extremely cold temperatures didn't allow much melting so the snow stayed where it was.
Then, in mid-March, a weather phenomenon known as a bomb cyclone hit the state with huge force. It brought more snow, rain, and a rare land-based hurricane. The rain melted the snow and ice, creating sudden rising river levels. The combination of pre-existing snow, low temperatures, record low pressure, and additional precipitation created the perfect storm...so to speak.
One of the major contributing factors was the sheets of river ice. The rains broke up the ice, creating massive ice jams that acted as natural dams, raising water levels rapidly.
These satellite photos are a shocking comparison between normal river levels (left) and current levels. Eastern Nebraska has been particularly hard hit by the flooding, though the entire state has been affected by this historic weather event.
Entire towns were flooded and faced voluntary or mandatory evacuations, often with as little as one hour of notice. First responders picked up residents in boats, ferrying them to safety in temporary shelters.
You may have heard the term "100-year flood" to describe a flood of the magnitude that most people will never see in their lives. The 2019 Nebraska flood is even rarer and more severe; you could live several lifetimes and not see flooding this severe and widespread.
This photo from Offutt Air Force Base shows the base and surrounding neighborhoods in Bellevue under deep water from the Missouri River. Some communities have been turned into islands; water has cut off regular means of access and bridges have washed away.
74 cities and 65 counties have declared states of emergency. Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by the floods, and hundreds of families have been displaced. Some have been allowed to return home already, but many still don't know when they will be able to do so.
Farmers and ranchers have been particularly hard hit by the historic flooding. Fields are underwater at the worst possible time of the year and large numbers of livestock have been stranded or killed by the water.
Experts have predicted that the waters won't recede significantly until at least the end of April, possibly later.
In the face of this incredible weather event and tragic flooding, Nebraskans have pulled together to help one another. Fundraisers and donation drives were quickly set up to assist people who have been displaced or otherwise affected.
Governor Ricketts and Vice President Mike Pence have visited communities to survey the damage. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has worked tirelessly to provide relief to those affected. The Nebraska National Guard has dropped hay bales from helicopters to feed stranded livestock.
This drone video shows the effect of the floods in Creighton, Nebraska.
As terrible as the flooding has been and continues to be, Nebraskans are stronger than any disaster. We'll pull through as we always do, rebuild, and be stronger than ever in the end.
If you would like to help the victims of the Nebraska flooding, this article from the Lincoln Journal Star lists a number of ways to do so.