Phelps County

News

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The Wrath of Mother Nature Prevails
Phelps County effeted by tornado

On the evening of May 29 a strong supercell storm moved in on several central Nebraska areas. One such storm produced a tornado that caused some damage in northeast Phelps County prior to moving into Buffalo County and causing major damage.

One farmstead received major damage to outbuiding and othe agriculture related equipment and a few other hmes had trees uprooted, and some minor damages to siding and to roofs.

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Flooding picture from Region15
Region 15 is struck by disaster, again!

The Region 15 Emergency Management area was once again struck by disaster on May 22nd and 23rd. Heavy rains poured upon the area then secondary lighter rains followed in the days after causing a lot of area flooding.

Many county roads in Frontier, Gosper and Phelps Counties received heavy damages.

A local Disaster Declaration was issued at the County level after the preliminary assessments showed that damages might exceed $500,000.00.

NEMA officials have been in the area assisting local Emergency Managers and other government officials with the assessments.

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Director Gerdes presenting the award to Deputy Director Pedersen
Pedersen wins award

Administrative Deputy Nicole Pedersen was recently presented the "2008 Emergency Management Support Person of the Year" at the Nebraska Association of Emergency Management Conference held in Grand Island.

She was nominated for the work she has done in writing plans for the region as well as assisting Custer County in their updates to their plan. She has reveived her Basic Certification as an Nebraska Emergency Manager and has completed many NIMS Courses and has assisted in instruction as well. Nicole is a Nationally Registerd EMT and recently found out that she would be attending the University of South Dakaota-Vermillion to pursue her coursework to become a Physician Assistant.

Director Gerdes was also elected President-Elect of the Association, he will take the office of President in April 2009

Hitchcock County Joins Region 15

The Hitchcock County Board of Commissioners signed an Interlocal Agreement with the Phelps County Board of Supervisors on October 1st, 2007 to join in with the exisitng Region 15 Emergency Management Agency. The region is currently made up of Phelps, Gosper and Frontier Counties. Kyle Clapp of Culbertson was appointed the Deputy Director for Hitchcock County and he will assist the Director in day to day operations as needed.