# Pillen seeks disaster declaration for May storms across 8 counties  
**Published:** 2026-06-18T15:32:01.000Z  
**Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-for-mid-may-storms-in-central-nebraska/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/pillen-seeks-disaster-declaration-for-may-storms-across-8-counties

LINCOLN, Neb. — [Gov. Jim Pillen is requesting that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-for-mid-may-storms-in-central-nebraska/) in the wake of severe storms that tore through central Nebraska in mid-May, affecting eight counties across the region.

The storms, which included tornadoes, extreme straight-line winds and flash flooding from May 15-18, left significant damage across Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. Damage estimates now exceed $4.9 million, according to the governor's office.

A high-end EF3 tornado near St. Libory in Howard County destroyed multiple homes, with approximately five homes heavily damaged or destroyed in that area. No fatalities or injuries were reported from the twister.

Reported damage from the storms included downed power poles and lines, as well as damage to schools, buildings and roadways. Emergency shelters were necessary in areas where individuals had been displaced.

If approved by the federal government, the disaster declaration would assist in covering costs from damage to public infrastructure. Pillen is also asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a 30-day extension to submit the major disaster declaration. Additionally, Pillen has requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which could allow Nebraska to apply for grants to fund rebuilding to reduce or mitigate future disaster losses.

The May storms were not the only severe weather to strike Nebraska recently. Pillen also requested a federal disaster declaration in May for wildfires that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln and Morrill counties, with preliminary damage estimates reaching nearly $9.7 million.

Community organizations have mobilized to help affected families. Heartland United Way announced that nearly $9,000 has been raised through its "United After the Storm Fund" to support families recovering from the EF-3 tornado in rural St. Libory.

## Sources

- [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-for-mid-may-storms-in-central-nebraska/)
- [Nebraska Public Media coverage of the St. Libory tornado damage](https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/at-least-3-homes-significantly-damaged-from-st-libory-tornado-during-severe-weather-outbreak/)
- [KMAland article on Nemaha County inclusion in disaster declaration](https://www.kmaland.com/news/nemaha-county-included-in-nebraska-disaster-declaration/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/pillen-requests-federal-disaster-declaration-for-mid-may-storms-in-central-nebraska/.