Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019--Motion to Proceed

Floor Speech

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Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I rise to speak to the historic flooding that has devastated hundreds of communities throughout my home State of Nebraska.

After a long, cold, and snow-filled winter, the catastrophic storm known as a bomb cyclone struck Western Nebraska with extreme blizzard conditions, while the central and eastern portions of the State were ravaged by record-setting floods. What were small streams became raging rivers, pouring over the banks, and breaching levees to flood towns and farmland.

The floods, which carried car-sized blocks of ice in some areas, isolated entire communities and deposited sand, mud, and debris over large areas of our land.

Homes have been destroyed, roads and bridges ripped apart, businesses and schools forced to close for an uncertain period of time. It is with a heavy heart that I say that three Nebraskans have lost their lives as a result of this storm: James Wilke, a farmer from Columbus; Aleido Rojas Galan of Norfolk; and Betty Hamernik of Columbus. I send my sincere condolences to their families. Their loved ones will not be forgotten.

Cities like Fremont and farms across the State became islands, leaving people and livestock stranded. The bomb cyclone has demolished thousands of acres of family farmland and ranchland, resulting in a devastating number of livestock deaths and demolished farms, grain bins, hay supply, and farm equipment.

One farmer recorded that he lost 700 of his hogs after 7 feet of floodwater swept through his land within minutes. A top concern for our ag producers is how do we replace ruined feed and the countless miles of washed-out fences.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture initially projects that the damages will total a loss of $440 million in crop losses and another $400 million in cattle losses. The devastation continues to grow as our farmers and ranchers across Nebraska assess lost land use and more livestock deaths.

I heard from ranchers in Central and Western Nebraska who fought through this blizzard during calving, and what I heard most was that even though they suffered losses, they knew of others who were worse off.

Farmers stood looking at once fertile land now covered with sand, mud, and unimaginably huge slabs and chunks of ice. They are worried what the future will bring.

I agree with Gov. Pete Ricketts, as he has called this catastrophic weather ``the most widespread disaster we have had in our state's history.''

Water from the Missouri River and Papio Creek has overwhelmed the southeastern side of Offutt Air Force Base and rendered some parts of the base as inoperable. I welcomed Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson to survey the flood damage at the base. Some buildings were filled with nearly 8 feet of water. Offutt leadership provided us with a preliminary damage assessment and discussed the response efforts that were successfully taken by the airmen.

At the flood's peak levels, one-third of the base was affected, causing tens of millions of dollars in damages. I will continue to work closely with Secretary Wilson to ensure that Offutt receives the funding to meet the needs of the base and to restore one of America's most important national security assets.

According to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, 81 of our 93 counties, 98 cities, and 5 Tribes have declared states of emergency. This covers over 59,000 square miles, which is about 76 percent of Nebraska.

To put this in perspective, well over 1.7 million Nebraskans are affected by this storm. That is more than 95 percent of our State's population.

The Governor has estimated that more than 2,000 homes and 340 businesses are damaged or destroyed. Significant damage to Nebraska's critical infrastructure is still being assessed at this time, but the Nebraska Department of Transportation released a preliminary estimate of $200 million that is needed to reconstruct hundreds of miles of roads and to repair or replace 15 bridges throughout the State.

Nebraska is hurting. However, as our Nation has seen the sheer power of this storm, I want America to understand the courage, strength, and resiliency Nebraskans have shown in response. Overwhelming loss and grief have been met with stories of bravery and heroic efforts of our neighbors and first responders. Ordinary Nebraskans, without any prior training, grabbed their personal boats, jet skis, trucks, and planes to save their neighbors who experienced life-threatening situations.

There have been countless stories of heroes who disregarded personal risk to help their neighbors in need--Nebraskans helping Nebraskans, neighbors helping neighbors.

Hundreds of volunteers in Fremont stepped forward to fill sandbags and create barriers to protect the city from floodwater. Local pilots in affected cities across Nebraska have flown their personal planes to deliver and evacuate people who have been surrounded by water.

In Boyd County, firefighters continued to stay on the job and rescue those in need, even after their own homes were flooded.

In the Nebraska Panhandle, one State patrol officer even scaled a barbed-wire fence to rescue a calf that was frozen to the ground.

Last week, a staff sergeant with the Nebraska Guard was helping lead rescue efforts in Fremont, where the town was left without fresh food and water for 2 days because of the surrounding floodwater. She said:

As we approached the town, I saw people coming out of their houses, standing on street corners, waving and clasping their hands in joy. . . . As we began carrying bottled water into the store, an elderly lady, who had been waiting for hours hugged me and was overcome with emotion. . . . She was so thankful and relieved knowing that even in difficult and trying times, there are Nebraskans doing things ``the Nebraska way'' by watching out for our most vulnerable citizens.

That is who we are. These stories are inspiring, and they speak to the character and integrity of my fellow Nebraskans.

I have been traveling across Nebraska to see the impact of this disaster firsthand.

In Omaha, I joined Governor Ricketts at the Nebraska Strong phone-a- thon for relief and support for flood victims. The event, sponsored by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, raised nearly a half million dollars to benefit the American Red Cross in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa.

In Winslow, I met with families and residents of the area who had been hit hard by the floods. Every structure in that town was flooded. I spoke to a mother of three who told me she had just 15 minutes to gather her children and her family's belongings before the floodwaters entered their home.

Winslow Volunteer Fire Chief Zachary Klein, informed me that his team was able to get boats to help with their recovery efforts. Chief Klein and his team saved 29 local residents from their flooded homes.

In Plattsmouth, the town's water treatment facility is currently powered down and inaccessible. Like many affected communities across Nebraska, their main concern is being able to gather the facts and to make decisions about how they can move forward with their lives.

In Valley, I toured the devastation in the community with Mayor Carroll Smith and Councilwoman Cindy Grove. Large piles of wreckage can be found everywhere in town as people begin that cleanup process, but the people of Valley are resilient. Residents have started a donation center where people in need can get clothes, equipment, and other supplies as needed. More than 150 people have signed up as volunteers.

I also spent some time with local residents and city and county personnel in North Bend. The community is understandably concerned about how their community will rebuild their lives, but it also warmed my heart to listen to stories of how the town is pulling together to support one another.

Time and again, I heard of how proud the North Bend community is of their volunteers who are managing donations and distributing food and supplies to those in need.

I want all Nebraskans to know that my office stands ready to help in any way that we can. Recently, I led the Nebraska delegation in a letter to President Trump outlining the extent of damage to our State and the projected cost of recovery. I want to thank the President for his rapid approval of Governor Ricketts' expedited request for Federal disaster assistance.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and I discussed the crisis that ag producers are facing. He assured me that USDA is committed to assisting our farmers and ranchers in any way they can. I also visited with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao by phone to share with her how this historic storm has damaged our critical infrastructure. The Secretary and the Department of Transportation, as a whole, are ready to help Nebraska.

I spoke with Major General Bohac to discuss the Nebraska National Guard's flood response, the ongoing state of emergency, and ways my office can assist with their relief efforts. In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to work closely alongside Governor Ricketts to assist in coordinating Federal relief efforts for our State. I have spoken to President Trump and shared with him the needs of our State as we recover. He reassured me that Nebraskans will receive the help we need.

I take great pride in the way our State has pulled together in this disaster. To know communities like Fremont, Plattsmouth, Columbus, Ashland, Norfolk, Spencer, or Niobrara is to know the definition of strength in unity and an unwavering pride in your State and country. Above the floodwaters, you will still see the American flag waving proudly in all of these communities. If you know Nebraska as I do, you know our State is filled with towns like these from one side to the other.

I am proud to represent our great State every day in the U.S. Senate. Though much is uncertain for the victims of this disaster, our communities are rallying to endure and recover from these historic weather conditions.

I close by offering my sincere thanks to our State and local officials, our emergency responders, and National Guard, who are working around the clock to provide lifesaving assistance to our citizens in need.

We have much work to do, but Nebraskans are resilient, we are tough, and we are compassionate. Hour by hour and day by day, we will get through this difficult chapter in our State's history, and we will remain Nebraska Strong.

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