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Disaster Recovery Resources

Many friends and neighbors in our territory have been affected by a natural disaster due to the severe flooding.  Our banking team is actively researching for possible programs which may assist recovering repairs and losses, and is gearing up on the process for making claims on insurance and other questions that you or your neighbors may have.  Your bank will be here to assist you in any way that we can.  If there is something that we can do for you, please stop in or call us at any branch.  You can reach any of our staff by calling our main hotline number 800-481-3225.
Please check back to this page, as we will be continuing to add resources as they become known to us.
 
American Red Cross
Grand Island Office: 404 E 3rd Street, Grand Island, NE 68801 - (308) 382-3790
Kearney Office: 520 W 48th St, Kearney, NE 68845 - (308) 234-2770
Kearney Restore Ministries
United Way of the Kearney Area Disaster Relief Fund
Kearney Area Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
NE Energy 1% Energy Loans
The NE Energy office is offering a 1% energy loan for counties effected by the flood.  This offer includes Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, Adams, Kearney, Phelps, Gosper, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Nuckolls, Dawson, & Thayer counties and expires 9/27/19.
Click Here for more info.
City of Kearney
The City of Kearney provided a one stop email address to route all flood related questions from the public and for citizens interested in providing the City of Kearney resources for flood response and clean-up efforts.  The email address will be managed by the Assistant City Manager's office and will allow better communication for response efforts and to provide information to those affected by the flood. 
Finding Government Assistance
 
FEMA
Individuals & Households Program (IHP) - Housing Assistance
Housing Assistance under FEMA's Individuals & Households Program (IHP) can provide financial help and direct services after a disaster.  The program provides money, if you qualify, for necessary housing-related expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster.
Housing Assistance under IHP includes the following:
  • Lodging expense reimbursement for short-term stays.
  • Rental assistance for temporary housing.
  • Direct temporary housing assistance, which may include:\n
    • Multi-family lease  and repair
    • Direct lease
    • Recreation vehicle (RV)
    • Manufactured housing unit (MHU)
  • Repair or replacement of primary home.
  • Semi-permanent or permanent housing construction.
General Program Requirements
You must meet all of the following requirements to qualify:
  • You have losses in a presidentially declared disaster area.
  • You have no insurance or have filed an insurance claim, but the damage for all of your losses isn't covered.
  • You or someone who lives with you is a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien.
  • The affected home is your primary home.
  • You can't access your home or your home requires repairs because of disaster damage.
If you have questions or prefer to apply by phone, you may call the FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 or visit a local Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). DRC Locator
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Home and Property Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers affordable financial help to homeowners and renters in declared disaster areas.  You don't need to own a business.  Help is available in the form of low-interest, long-term loans for losses not fully covered by insurance or other means.  You may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace your primary home to its pre-disaster condition.  But unless required by building code, you cannot use the loan to upgrade or add to the home.
In some cases, SBA may be able to refinance all or part of a previous mortgage (not to exceed $200,000). To do so, you must meet the following conditions:
  • You don't have credit available elsewhere.
  • You have a substantially damaged property.
  • You intend to repair or replace the damaged property.
SBA considers refinancing when processing each application.  they may also be able to increase the loan up to 20% of the confirmed physical losses (not to exceed $200,000). 
You could use the loan increase to make improvements that may help protect your home from future disasters.  This could include improvements like retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, safe rooms, and storm shelters.
Second homes and vacation properties are not eligible.  Qualified rental properties may qualify for a business disaster loan.

You may also be able to borrow up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property.  This my include the items below:
  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Cars
  • Other personal property; not real estate or part of the actual structure
You may not use the loan to replace very expensive or rare and unique items.  This may include items like those below:
  • Antiques
  • Collections
  • Pleasure boats
  • Recreational vehicles
Other terms and conditions may apply.
To qualify for SBA disaster assistance, you must have physical damage to your primary home in a declared county.
Application Process - If you're a homeowner or renter, you must first apply with FEMA. You may apply to FEMA at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/.  If you want to apply by phone, please call the FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
To apply for an SBA disaster loan, you may apply online at any time using the SBA's Disaster Loan Application. 
To get personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative, you may also apply in person at one of the centers below:
If you have questions about the program or on how to apply with SBA, or if you want to find an SBA disaster center near you, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Business Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers affordable financial help to businesses and private non-profit organizations in declared disaster areas.  Help is available in the form of low-interest, long-term loans for losses not fully covered by insurance or other means. SBA's disaster loans re the main federal assistance offered for the repair and rebuilding of non-farm, private sector disaster losses.  This is the only direct loan program and it is not limited to small businesses.  
Businesses of all sizes as well as private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace the following:
  • Damaged or destroyed real estate
  • Machinery and equipment
  • Inventory and other business assets
In some cases, SBA may be able to refinance all or part of a prior mortgage or lien.  They may also be able to increase the loan up to 20 percent of the confirmed physical losses.  You could use the loan increase to make improvements that reduce the risk of damage by future disasters.  This could include improvements like retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, safe rooms, and storm shelters.
The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  Any of the following may qualify for EIDL:
  • Small businesses
  • Small agricultural cooperatives
  • Small businesses engaged in aquaculture
  • Most private non-profit organizations of all sizes
EIDL help is available whether the business had any physical property damage or not.  The program limit for business loans is $2 million.  This applies to all combined funding paid to a business and its affiliates for each disaster.
To qualify, your business or private non-profit organization must have physical damage or economic harm and be located in a declared county.
To apply with SBA, you may apply online at any time using SBA's Disaster Loan Application
To get personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative, you may also apply in person at one of the centers below:
If you have questions on how to apply with SBA or want to find an SBA disaster center near you, contact the Customer Service Center:
 
FloodSmart Flood Insurance
Contact FloodSmart directly at 866-277-0055 so they can provide you with the necessary paperwork for your claim
Damage within Ravenna
Please call the city office at (308) 452-3273 to report losses and provide proof of damage (photos, receipts, etc).  The city will compile the information and pass it along to the Buffalo County Emergency Management Director.
Damage within Pleasanton
If you have any flood damage to your property, please document all damage and get as many pictures as possible.  Please contact the Village Office at (308) 388-2241 and leave your Name, Address, & Phone Number so your information can be included in any reports the Village makes for federal disaster aid.
FSA/USDA
Tips per local FSA officers: take photos, have multiple sources of head count documentation, contact FSA to file a Notice of Loss ASAP, report the loss to your farm policy agent, & have a list of witnesses.Notify local FSA office of livestock losses within 30 days of when those loses become apparent.
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) Fact Sheet
Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet
List of county Farm Service Agency offices
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) - This FSA program covers some livestock losses that do not fall under the Livestock Indemnity Program
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) - ECP can provide some cost-share assistance to rehabilitate farmland and pasture damaged by natural disasters.  it can also provide cost-share assistance to help restore fences damaged or lost due to natural disaster.  
FloodSmart Flood Insurance
Contact FloodSmart directly at 866-277-0055 so they can provide you with the necessary paperwork for your claim
Hay and Forage Hotline
Nebraska Department of Agriculture Hay and Forage Hotline (402) 471-4876.  This hotline connects buyers with sellers of hay, pasture, and other types of forage. This hotline service is available at no cost to buyers and sellers.
Nebraska Rural Response Hotline
1-800-464-0258 This Hotline is resourced for individuals and families who may be feeling overwhelmed with stress, depression, or other mental health related issues.
Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund is organized in the State of Nebraska as a not-for-profit corporation and will be seeking to qualify as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization under which all donations made to the Fund would be tax deductible for the donor in accordance with applicable federal tax laws.
100% of all donations received will be distributed to Nebraska cattle producers affected by natural disasters, including recent wet weather events.
If you would like to write a check, make it out to Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund and mail it to:
Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
4611 Cattle Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
If you would like to donate hay, feed stuffs, fencing materials, volunteer help, equipment, or if you are seeking assistance, please call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550.  Be prepared to share your name, contact information, type and number of livestock, location (including county), what assistance you are seeking and how urgent your need is.
UNL
\n https://flood.unl.edu
University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ENREC)
\nThe University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ENREC) near Mead & Haskell Ag Lab at Concord are serving as collection locations for hay (large bales) donations and fencing materials for livestock owners/managers who were impacted by the recent adverse weather events in Nebraska.  Arrangements can be made prior to delivery.  Details at: https://lnkd.in/d24GrzJ 
Nebraska Energy Office 1% Loans
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Natural Disaster Program (NDP)
Nebraska Farm Bureau Disaster Relief Application for Aid

https://www.nefb.org/disaster-relief-fund-application-for-aid