Flooding in Nebraska, June 11 to 30, 2010

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the upper Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12, including 1 to 2 inch 24 hour amounts ending 7am the 12th. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River. The flooding was prolonged by additional rains the next few days. In Stanton county at least 70 miles of gravel roads along the Elkhorn were damaged by flood waters, two bridges were destroyed and several others seriously damaged. Several culverts were also washed away. In addition, the main water supply line to Stanton that ran under the Elkhorn sustained damage on the 15th prompting temporary measures to route water into town through a backup measure. Farm fields along the river also sustained damage to crops and some had land covered in sand as the river receded. The Elkhorn River near Pilger reached a record crest of just over 15 feet during the evening of June 16th, flood stage is 12 feet. The river at Pilger was above flood stage from the morning of June 11th until the early morning hours of the 19th.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the upper Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12, including 1 to 2 inch 24 hour amounts ending 7am the 12th. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River. The flooding was prolonged by additional rains the week after 6/12. West Point received nearly 11 inches of rain in the week ending June 14th. In Cuming county, many gravel roads along the Elkhorn were flooded, a few were washed out including a bridge approach south of Beemer, and flooding was also reported across Highway 32 just southwest of West Point and various sections of Highway 275. Farm fields along the river also sustained damage to crops and some had land covered in sand as the river receded. The Elkhorn River near West Point crested close to 15.4 feet at 415 am on the 17th, flood stage is 12 feet. The river at West Point was above flood stage from the morning of June 11th until the morning of the 23rd. Not counting two bridge approaches, damage to roads and culverts in Cuming county for June flooding was estimated at least at $300,000, which did not include private property or crops.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the upper Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12, including 1 to 2 inch 24 hour amounts ending 7am the 12th. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River. The flooding was prolonged by additional rains the week after 6/12. In Dodge county many gravel roads along the Elkhorn were flooded as was Highway 91 near Nickerson which suffered damage. Highway 275 near Scribner was closed for around week, at first because a temporary dike is used there when the river gets above 18 feet and then because water started flowing across the road. Scribner itself was spared from most of the flooding because of the dike. Highways 77 and 30 north and east of Fremont were also closed for a while because of flood waters. Flood waters washed a car off a county road near Winslow, although the occupants escaped unharmed. Farm fields along the Elkhorn River were flooded and farm houses along it were surrounded by flood waters and a few sustained flood damage, as did some cabins. The river near Hooper reached a little over 18.5 feet on 6/18, flood stage is 14 feet, and the record stage is around 19 feet. Logan Creek near Uehling also experienced some flooding, especially on 6/12 and 6/13, cresting nearly a foot above its 18 feet flood stage early on 6/13. Water along Logan Creek flooded the Uehling Park and surrounding fields and county roads. Emergency management said there was at least $100,000 in damage to public roads alone in Dodge and Washington counties.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The river near Nebraska City climbed above flood stage early in the afternoon on June 11th and remained above flood stage into July. The river at Nebraska City crested around or a little over 25 feet during the afternoon of June 16th and June 21st. Flood stage is 18 feet. Industrial roads near the river were flooded along with some cabins, boat ramps and recreation areas.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much central Nebraska the week ending 7am 6/12, with additional heavy rains the following several days. All of this water eventually worked into the Platte River causing it to rise above flood stage from around North Bend downstream to its confluence with the Missouri River. At North Bend the river crested a little below 8.5 feet early in the morning on 6/14, flood stage is 8 feet. The river was above flood stage near North Bend for most of the period from the afternoon of 6/13 through the morning of 6/16. The flooding mainly affected agricultural bottom lands along the river although some county roads and recreation areas were under water for a while.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The flood damage was increased near the confluence of the Platte River where flood waters from the Platte added to the flow. In Plattsmouth the Missouri River crested a little over 33 feet in the late afternoon of June 22nd, flood stage is 26 feet. The river climbed above flood stage in the afternoon of June 11 and remained above flood stage into early July. Some roads on the east end of Plattsmouth were closed due to flood waters which also submerged the land around a waste-water treatment plant which prompted sandbagging. A recreation area in the region was also partially submerged in flood waters along with the Plattsmouth boat house.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much central Nebraska the week ending 7am 6/12, with additional heavy rains the following several days. All of this water eventually worked into the Platte River causing it to rise above flood stage from around North Bend downstream to its confluence with the Missouri River. At Louisville the river was above its 9 foot flood stage for most of the period from the afternoon of 6/11 until the afternoon of 6/16. The river crested at a little under 10.5 feet around noon on the 14th. The river gauge near Ashland was above its 20 foot flood stage for much of the period from the evening of 6/11 until the evening of the 20th. Although some lowlands were flooded all along the Platte River in Sarpy county, which forced evacuations of residents of Hanson's Lakes, most of the more significant flooding was restricted to the area near confluence of the Missouri River around Plattsmouth. County roads and some recreation areas in that vicinity sustained flood damage.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much central Nebraska the week ending 7am 6/12, with additional heavy rains the following several days. All of this water eventually worked into the Platte River causing it to rise above flood stage from around North Bend downstream to its confluence with the Missouri River. At Louisville the river was above its 9 foot flood stage for most of the period from the afternoon of 6/11 until the afternoon of 6/16. The river crested at a little under 10.5 feet around noon on the 14th. The river gauge near Ashland was above its 20 foot flood stage for much of the period from 6/12 until the morning of the 20th. Although some lowlands were flooded all along the Platte River in Cass county, most of the more significant flooding was restricted to the area near confluence of the Missouri River around Plattsmouth. County roads and some recreation areas in that vicinity sustained flood damage.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The river near Brownville climbed above flood stage during the afternoon on June 11th and remained above flood stage into July. The river at Brownville crested at close to 43 feet during the evening of June 23rd, flood stage is 32 feet. This was the 2nd highest crest at Brownville second only to the flood of July 1993. An earlier crest of around 42 feet was recorded on 6/16/10. Besides considerable flooding of lowlands along the river, several roads were flooded including one that lead to the Cooper Nuclear power plant. Recreation areas also sustained flood damage.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The river at Rulo reached a record crest of around 26.6 feet during the evening of 6/23, flood stage is 17 feet. An earlier crest of around 25 feet was measured on 6/17. The river remained flood stage into and through July. Highway 159 near Rulo was closed for a time and substantial flooding of lowlands along the river occurred including cabins, homes and recreation areas. At least 30 to 40 people were evacuated from 20 homes that were damaged by flood waters.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much central Nebraska the week ending 7am 6/12, with additional heavy rains the following several days. All of this water eventually worked into the Platte River causing it to rise above flood stage from around North Bend downstream to its confluence with the Missouri River. At Ashland the river was above its 20 foot flood stage for most of the period from the evening of 6/11 until the evening of 6/20. The river had a long crest of around 20.8 feet on the 12th through the 14th. Some farm fields and roads were flooded along the Platte River in Saunders county.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the upper Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12. This caused lowland flooding along the North Fork of the Elkhorn River near and a bit north of Pierce. Farmland and a few county roads near the river were flooded. Some flooding also occurred along creeks in the Pierce area which flooded a city park in Pierce, a parking lot of a senior manor, and a few roads, all of which prompted the sandbagging of several houses. The North Fork of the Elkhorn River near Pierce crested a little over 14 feet during the late morning of 6/13, flood stage is 12 feet. The river at Pierce was above flood stage from the early morning hours of June 12th until the early evening of 6/16.

Another 1 to 1.5 inches of rain fell across Boone county ending 7am June 12th, bringing three day totals into the 3 to 4 inch range. This was on top of several inches that fell prior to June 10th. This additional rain brought more flooding to the county, especially along Beaver Creek and its tributaries from around Petersburg to Boone to near St. Edward. Highway 39 just west of St. Edward was either briefly closed or down to one lane due to flood waters much of the 12th into the 13th. Highways 14 and 32 were closed around the Petersburg area for a while and many county roads from Petersburg to Boone were closed because of flood waters. Several homes and businesses in the St. Edward area were sandbagged to protect from high water. Agricultural lands near these creeks also sustained some flood damage.

Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches fell across much of the county through 7am on 6/12 bringing 72 hour totals into the 3 to 4 inch range. This caused flooding along Tekamah Creek and Bell Creek and their tributaries. County roads from Craig to Tekamah and southward were flooded, including Highway 32 a few miles west of Tekamah for a while. Besides county roads, farmlands along creeks were also flooded and some crops were deemed a total loss. At least one bridge sustained damage.

Although three day rain totals in the area through 7am June 12th were in the 3 to 4 inch range, the rain fell on saturated soil due to rains earlier in the month plus heavier rain fell upstream of Boone county. The heavier rain upstream of Boone county caused flooding along the Cedar River which was aggravated by the failure of a dam on the river near Ericson which sent flood waters to another dam near Spalding which was then over-topped. The flooding in Boone county washed away 2 sections of a wooden bridge southwest of Primrose and also flooded farmland and a few county roads in the area.

Overnight rainfall of 1 to 2 inches through 7am 6/12 brought 3 day rainfall totals into the 2 to 4 inch range over much of the county and locations to the west and north. The heavy rain caused high flows of Rawhide Creek which began flooding due to increased flows along the Elkhorn River which caused it to back up. The flooding closed Highway 36 in far northwest Douglas county and also flooded farmlands and county roads near the creek.

Rainfall of 3 to 5 inches fell across much of the Elkhorn River basin in the week ending June 12th. This caused extensive flooding along the Elkhorn River and many of its tributaries, which was prolonged by additional heavy rain after June 12th. Flooding along the Elkhorn in Washington county closed Highway 30 near Arlington for several days as well as many county roads in the area. Farmland near the river also sustained flood damage. Emergency management stated that there was $100,000 in damage alone to public roads in Washington and Dodge counties.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12, including 1 to 2 inch 24 hour amounts ending 7am the 12th. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River. High water or flooding was prolonged by additional rains the week after 6/12. In Douglas county especially hard hit was the Kings Lake area north of Waterloo where 160 homes and cabins sustained flood damage and at least 23 homes were declared unfit or unsafe, mainly due to septic tanks backing up. Flooding closed roads into Kings Lake and also closed Highway 36 west of Elk City for a while. A man drove around a barricade and into flood waters near 252nd and State Streets and was rescued by a sheriff's deputy who broke out his car window. Although the man suffered from hypothermia, the injuries were not life threatening. County roads and farmland along the river were also flooded. The Elkhorn River at Waterloo crested at a near record around 18.7 feet during the late evening of 6/14, flood stage is 17 feet and the record is just over 19 feet. A levee protected much of Waterloo, but recreation areas along the river were flooded. The river at Waterloo was above flood stage from the late afternoon of June 13th until the early morning hours of the 16th, although some flooding likely started earlier and lasted a little longer in the northwest part of the county.

Heavy rain over much of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa during most of June caused a prolonged period of flooding along the Missouri River, especially downstream of Omaha through Rulo. The flood damage was increased near the confluence of the Platte River where flood waters from the Platte added to the flow and caused the Missouri River to back up in Sarpy county. In Sarpy county the river flooded a few parks, including Haworth Park which was under nearly 4 feet of water for an extended period. Roads along the river were also flooded and houses that were between the levee and the river were also flooded or had their entrances blocked by flood waters. In Plattsmouth, just south of Sarpy county, the Missouri River crested a little over 33 feet in the late afternoon of June 22nd, flood stage is 26 feet. The river climbed above flood stage in the afternoon of June 11 and remained above flood stage into early July.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the Loup River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12. This caused minor lowland flooding along the Loup River from near Monroe downstream toward Columbus, although a dike along the north bank of the river protected much of the Columbus area. The flooding mainly affected agricultural lowlands near the river and also a few county roads in southwest Platte county near Monroe.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the upper Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River which was prolonged by additional rains the next few days. In Antelope county many gravel roads along the Elkhorn were flooded as was Highway 275 between Neligh and Clearwater. A county board member estimated that one 2 mile stretch of road sustained up to $4 million in damage. Extensive sandbagging around the town of Clearwater saved some homes and businesses from damage, but around 100 still suffered flood damage, and 7 or 8 were probably a total loss. Homes in Neligh were also flooded and at least one water evacuation was made in the Neligh area. The park in Neligh sustained damage and a historic swinging bridge was wrenched loose and washed away by flood waters. For a while water approached the landing strip at the Neligh airport and washed out the road leading to it in several places. Farm fields along the river also sustained major damage to crops and had land covered in sand as the river receded. More than 100,000 acres of agricultural land were affected by flood waters in Antelope county. The Elkhorn River near Neligh reached a record crest of around 15.5 feet at 1230am CDT on June 15th, flood stage is 10 feet. The river at Neligh was above flood stage from around noon on the 13th through early evening on the 17th and the high water cut new channels of the river across Antelope county.

Rainfall of at least 3 to 5 inches fell over much of the upper Elkhorn River basin in the week ending 7am 6/12. This caused record or near record flooding along the Elkhorn River from around Clearwater and Neligh downstream to the Elkhorn's confluence with the Platte River. The flooding was prolonged and intensified by additional rains the next few days. In Madison county many gravel roads along the Elkhorn were flooded as were Highways 81 and 275 near and west of Norfolk which were closed for a while. On 6/15 a railroad bridge just southwest of Norfolk washed away with 3 people on it that were assessing possible damage. One person was drowned, the 2 others were rescued. Another railroad bridge west of Norfolk and several sections of the Cowboy Trail bike trail was washed out. A levee just south of Norfolk helped prevent major damage, but some damage was noted to businesses and nearly 70 homes on the south part of town despite sandbagging. In addition a park on the south side of town received extensive damage. Farmland along the river sustained crop damage and had sand deposited on fields by the receding river. The Elkhorn River near Norfolk reached a record crest of around 16.9 feet during the evening of 6/16, flood stage is 12 feet. The river at Norfolk was above flood stage from the early morning hours of June 15th until mid evening on the 17th, although flooding likely started earlier upstream of the levee near Norfolk.