Nebraska

Five years since historic floods in central and eastern Nebraska

Published

2 years ago

March 13, 2024

Five years since historic floods in central and eastern Nebraska

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – March 13, 2024 marks five years since the beginning of a storm system that caused catastrophic flooding across central and eastern Nebraska.

A number of separate factors leading up to the event would set the stage for some of the most significant flooding ever experience for parts of the state.

Much of February and early March was marked by unusually cold temperatures. The period between February 15th and March 15th was recorded as the 2nd or 3rd coldest on record for the Tri-Cities and coldest since the 1960s. This kept the ground frost levels much deeper than what is typically observed for mid-March. The National Weather Service in Hastings measured a frost depth of 25 inches on March 11.

The record cold also kept thick ice on local rivers and streams much further into March than what typically occurs. This led to serious ice jamming once the ice broke up.

A series of snow events through February and early March kept a snow depth of as much as 8 to 18 inches in place for several weeks leading up to the event. This snow contained the equivalent of 1 to 4 inches of water.

A powerful low pressure system moving out of the southwest U.S. would move across the region between March 12 and March 14, bringing rain, snow, and very strong winds. During the early part of the storm, showers and thunderstorms would bring rain on the night of the 12th. Some of that rain would continue into the morning of the 13th. Most of that afternoon was dry. But by the night of the 13th and into the morning of the 14th, more rain and a change to snow would move through the area. As much as 2 to 4 inches of rain fell and 1 to 3 inches of snow. This combined with rapid snow melt due to the much warmer temperatures observed as the storm system approached.

Because of the still frozen ground, much of the rain and snow melt would run off into many of our local streams and rivers. The warmer temperatures and water run-off would contribute to the breaking up of the thick ice in place on the streams and rivers. The rapid rising rivers would begin to overflow on Wednesday the 13th and this would continue into Wednesday night and Thursday.

Rivers and creeks, along with their tributaries began to rise on Wednesday the 13th and would continue into Thursday the 14th. This included the Wood River in Buffalo and Hall County, the entire Loup River basin in central Nebraska, the Cedar River, the Niobrara River, the Elkhorn River, and the Platte River in eastern Nebraska. All low-lying areas were essentially covered in water.

Dozens of roads and bridges were washed out across the region, isolating some communities. Several water rescues and evacuations would occur. Much of this happened in the midst of blizzard conditions as the rain changed to snow Wednesday night into Thursday. Winds would gusts to near 70 mph.

Communities such as Pleasanton, Gibbon, Wood River, Alda, and Dannebrog experienced significant flooding. Dozens of other communities such as Genoa, Belgrade, and North Loup were at least partially evacuated. Large chunks of ice the size of automobiles were left on bridges and land in many locations. In some cases, rivers were completely reshaped due to the flood waters.

Nebraska receives $50M for replacing Spencer Dam destroyed in 2019 flood(KTIV)

The Spencer Dam in north central Nebraska was completely breeched. Large chunks of ice and debris floating on raging flood waters would rush downstream, causing devastation to those in the path. Kenny Angel, who’s home was just below the dam, was washed away. His body was never found.

Impacts to agriculture were tremendous. As flood waters receded, pasture land and fields next to rivers and creeks were covered in inches of sand and silt. This flooding occurred in the middle of calving season. Hundreds of calves perished. Some reported livestock carcasses floating away. In some locations, cattle were isolated on islands. This combined with numerous damaged or flooded roads made travel to and around some farms impossible.

Flooding continued until Saturday, March 23. Water levels gradually fell between the 15th and 23rd, with flooded areas decreasing. The most widespread flooding occurred from the 14th to the 18th.

Damage estimates of property, buildings, roads, bridges, loss of livestock, and stored crops across the entire state of Nebraska was more than $1 billion.

If you want a full recap of the event in south central Nebraska, you can visit the page set up by the National Weather Service Office in Hastings.

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Nebraska

Pillen: Nebraska senator tears down historical exhibits by PragerU from Capitol walls

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Pillen: Nebraska senator tears down historical exhibits by PragerU from Capitol walls

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Parts of a temporary historical exhibit inside the Nebraska State Capitol were torn down by a state senator, Gov. Pillen alleges.

Gov. Pillen said Wednesday on social media that several displays of historical figures, key events in the American Revolution and portraits of those who signed the Declaration of Independence were “ripped off the walls” by state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha.

A 40-second video shared by Pillen appears to show Sen. Cavanaugh taking down several displays and a photo showed the items on the floor of her office.

A 40-second video shared by Gov. Jim Pillen shows Sen. Cavanaugh taking down several displays and a photo showed the items on the floor of her office.(Governor Jim Pillen’s office)

The displays featuring material made by the controversial conservative group PragerU were put up in the state Capitol as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

“Celebrating America during our 250th year should be a moment of unity and patriotism, not divisiveness and destructive partisanship. I am disappointed in this shameful and selfish bad example,” Pillen wrote.

Cavanaugh told 10/11 that senators are prohibited from putting items on the walls in the hallway outside their offices. She said the posters line the entire hallway around the first floor, but she only took down the ones outside her office.

“When I walked in this morning and saw these poster boards lining the hallway of my office, I thought well I’m not allowed to have things lining the hall of my office… I tried to take them down as gently as I could and not damage any of them, and I stacked them inside of my office and I let the state patrol know that they were there,” Cavanaugh said.

PragerU has previously faced criticism for making content that historians, researchers and scholars have considered inaccurate or misleading. Some parents and educators have also spoken out against the nonprofit, saying its content spreads misinformation and is being used for “indoctrinating children.”

The Founders Museum exhibit in particular has been criticized by The American Historical Association for blurring the line between reality and fiction, according to NPR.

The exhibit is supposed to remain on display during public building hours through the summer.

Nebraska’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday includes showcasing historical figures and events in our most important public space, our beautiful State Capitol. These include Declaration of Independence signers and prominent women in American history, among others.
Sadly,… pic.twitter.com/MZ8Tbvg5nr
— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) January 7, 2026

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Oregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska

Published

16 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Oregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska

Nebraska has picked up a third linebacker commitment from Oregon State transfer Dexter Foster, a sophomore with three seasons of eligibility remaining, including a redshirt year.

The 6-foot-3, 236lb linebacker started in seven games this fall for the Beavers, totaling 52 tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. As a true freshman in 2024, he appeared in 12 games, totaling 43 tackles with two tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries.

Foster held just two offers coming out of high school prior to committing to Oregon State, but was at one point a target for new Nebraska defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, when Aurich was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Idaho in 2022-2023.

The sophomore joins a linebacker room that has seen a bit of a facelift through transfer portal additions. San Diego State linebacker Owen Chambliss led the Aztecs in tackles this season and has now signed with the Huskers, following Rob Aurich to Lincoln. Iowa State freshman linebacker Will Hawthorne committed to the Huskers on Tuesday. Nebraska fell just short of Iowa State when Hawthorne was coming out of Gilbert (Ia.) in the 2025 cycle.

Foster is the seventh transfer portal addition for the Huskers this cycle and the fourth defensive addition. The Huskers are expected to be done with linebacker portal recruiting at this point and will turn attention to needs up front, both at defensive tackle and edge rusher.

Quick look at what Nebraska is getting in Foster

Standing 6-foot-3, and north of 235lbs, Foster is rangy and athletic in space. Has the versatility to play true strong-side or weak-side linebacker and could even spin down to edge rusher if needed. Possesses the athletic and physical range to track down ball-carriers in space, arm length to keep would-be-blockers at bay. Shows good eye discipline working through traffic, quick to react and trigger downhill, with the fluidity to change directions quickly. Still more read-and-react than anticipatory at this point in his development, but gets to his spots quickly. Has the athleticism to stick in coverage against running backs, tight ends and even slot receivers.

Has the experience, size and play-style to factor into Nebraska’s linebacker rotation immediately, and could even push to start alongside San Diego State linebacker transfer Owen Chambliss. Has the versatility to be a chess piece of sorts for Aurich and stick on the field regardless of personnel.

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Nebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek

QUEEN CREEK, AZ — A slice of the Midwest is coming to the East Valley! Godfather’s Pizza from Omaha, Nebraska, is set to open a new location this month in Queen Creek.

Bruce Cannon, who owns and operates two Godfather’s Pizza locations in Lincoln and Norfolk, Nebraska, will also own and operate the new Queen Creek restaurant.

“This marks the brand’s first traditional Godfather’s Pizza restaurant in Arizona since 2009, signaling an exciting return to the Phoenix metro area,” read the news release sent to ABC15.

The restaurant will open near Queen Creek Rd and Signal Butte Rd.

The restaurant will provide dine-in, carryout, and third-party delivery options, featuring its classic pizza lineup alongside favorites like breadsticks, streusels, and specialty pies.