It’s been quite a week for many towns in northern Nebraska.
Although the creeks and rivers are going back within their banks, widespread damage is now able to be observed.
In Verdigre, the dike did not fail, although the sheer volume of water was more than it could handle. The flood waters went over and around the south end of the dike by the football field, and at the north end of town past the dike.
Leroy Hollmann, Verdigre village board chairman, has been making the rounds and assessing damage, speaking to businesses and homeowners.
The Verdigre Carousel on Main Street has set up a “need and volunteer” help hub. Verdigre and area residents who either need help or want to help are to check in with the center. The phone number is 402-518-0962.
Reports indicate Cozy Corner Cafe on Main Street had water over its chairs. Schreier's Lumber Co. and Herbert Feed and Grain both have equipment and buildings that were in the main part of the flood, so it will probably take longer to assess the total damage there.
Hollmann said he hopes that state and federal aid will help with the needed repairs to the streets, all of which have been significantly gouged or eroded.
Verdigre’s Main Street is down to the base in areas. The top coat is gone, and in the far north end, the street is dangerously eroded.
Water boiling is mandated. A large tree and debris snagged a water line in the creek south of the south bridge. City crews and Sonder Well Co. worked to get water restored to the point where Verdigre no longer had to conserve water.
Great Plains Communication workers could be seen all over town spot checking and restoring service to anyone affected Friday.
Many basements have water, some of which are filled. One house in the city limits had water reach its main floor.
Elsewhere, Lynch, Bristow and Verdel were still without potable water Friday, with trucks bringing in water to meet community needs.
Lynch has an artesian well that was being used Thursday and Friday for farmers to come in and get water for their cattle. An artesian well produces water that usually does not freeze and is warm. The water comes from deep pockets underground.
At one time years ago, the artesian well was used in Lynch for an indoor swimming pool all winter.
Three bridges on highways are out — Highway 12 at Niobrara, Highway 281 just south of Spencer and Highway 11 just south of Butte.
Boyd County Sheriff Chuck Wrede and a deputy drove west of Naper on Friday morning. They inspected the Schmidt bridge and the Carl Williams bridge.
They reported that both bridges are intact but can't be crossed because of the ice. The Stuart-Naper bridge on the Niobrara River is gone. They couldn't get to the McCarthy bridge. Many of the roads have washouts about 6 to 8 feet deep.
Wrede said it isn’t known how bad the damage is on some of the bridges, including the Redbird bridge.
“I'm not sure about the Redbird Bridge, as I couldn't get close enough because of the ice and water,” Wrede said. “We’ll have to wait on that one.”
On Thursday afternoon, Wrede was on the Pischelville bridge helping Knox County Sheriff Don Henery in trying to clear ice off that bridge. It is damaged and under water.
Many bridges will remain closed until inspections can occur. Travelers are asked not to travel on the bridges until they are inspected and reopened.
In addition, the Mormon Canal bridge is gone and so is Vic's Filling Station at Niobrara.
Personnel from Boyd, Holt and Knox counties are still searching for Kenny Angel, whose home was swept away by the waters.
The Ponca Creek was back in its banks at Bristow on Friday. Water went under the bridge and across the road on the the north side going into Bristow, leaving washouts and big chunks of ice.
Duane and Linda Hoffman, whose home was close to the creek, were starting to clean up Friday afternoon.
In Lynch, residents of the Ponca Valley Housing, and the Niobrara Valley Hospital were evacuated. So were a few of the people living in east Lynch.
The Lynch Community Hall was opened to provide a safe, comfortable place for people to stay.
The Whiskey Creek joins the Ponca Creek in north Lynch. The Ponca Creek spilled over its banks and backed water up to Lynch’s Main Street and the street south of Highway 12, surrounding the homes with water and filling the Catholic Church basement.
The road to the Rural Electric Association building in east Lynch is gone, preventing the REA crews from doing repairs until the water goes down.
REA told Lynch residents Friday to prepare for another night of no power as it is limited in what can be repaired until the water goes down.
