Pence travels to Nebraska to survey flood damage

Vice President Pence traveled to Nebraska on Tuesday to survey the catastrophic flood damage that has spread across the state and other parts of the Midwest in recent days.

Pence will meet in Omaha with Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) as parts of the region remain submerged. Pence is making the trip at President Trump’s request, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said late Monday. 

Heading to Nebraska today to survey the devastating flood damage. To the people of Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas & all regions impacted: we are with you! https://t.co/7VS9RaM333

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) March 19, 2019 

{mosads}Floods have killed at least three people in Nebraska and Iowa, and has affected residents in Missouri, South Dakota and Michigan, among other Midwest states. Dozens of counties and municipalities have declared states of emergency, and photos of roads and buildings underwater have circulated on social media.

Flooding is expected to continue as water continues to move downstream. Roads and bridges are under inspection where water has begun recede. NDOT is working to provide detours for closures. Check https://t.co/KD6t82hKgL for closure updates and established detours. #Flood19 pic.twitter.com/TMTMm68GY3

— Nebraska DOT (@NebraskaDOT) March 17, 2019

This photo is from this morning on I-29 at the 67 mile marker just north of Crescent, Iowa. Remember, never drive through water on the roadway. Turn around, don’t drown! pic.twitter.com/bXkMWvcZOq

— Iowa DOT (@iowadot) March 15, 2019

The Associated Press reported that the widespread floods were caused by heavy rains that melted snow left by a massive late-winter storm. The resulting water build up has breached at least a dozen levees across Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

The president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau estimated that the floods could cause close to $1 billion in losses between crops and livestock, the AP reported. Numerous animals have died in the floods, and many farmers will be forced to plant crops late, if at all this year.

The regional Federal Emergency Management Agency office said Tuesday that it intends to request a presidential emergency declaration to assist with recovery efforts.

Bryan Tuma, Deputy Dir. of Emergency Management @NEMAtweets, provides a situational awareness briefing as our Incident Management Team (IMAT) and @paultaylorkc arrive at EOC. Will be providing technical assistance as the State works on a Presidential Disaster Declaration request. pic.twitter.com/6Lauaq4tD5

— FEMA Region 7 (@femaregion7) March 19, 2019