Gov. Jim Pillen issued an emergency declaration for 24 counties, including Lancaster County, because of Wednesday's blizzard.
The blizzard brought as much as a foot of snow to some areas and winds gusting over 70 mph, leading numerous highways to shut down and causing extensive damage to trees and power lines.
Pillen said in a news release that at the peak of power outages Wednesday, about 120,000 people were without power. That number still stood at about 29,000 as of Friday afternoon.
Eastern Nebraska was hardest hit, especially areas south and west of Omaha.
In Lincoln, which got 5 inches of snow and had a 74-mph wind gust, more than 12,000 people were without power at one point Wednesday. That number was down to about 60.
However, about 1,500 Lancaster County residents who have Norris Public Power were still without electricity Friday. The utility said it was dealing with more than 250 damaged or downed power poles. It reported about 4,800 customers still without power as of 5:30 p.m. Friday.
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About 4,300 Saunders County residents were still without power Friday, among the nearly 16,000 Omaha Public Power District customers still without electricity.
Pillen noted the significant progress that has been made since Wednesday restoring power, largely thanks to assistance from out-of-state crews who came to help as part of mutual aid agreements.
Damage from the storm so far is estimated at more than $21 million.
Pillen said his proclamation will allow Nebraska’s adjutant general to take any steps necessary and to utilize funds for protecting lives and property impacted by the storm.
In addition to Lancaster County, the emergency declaration covers Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York counties.
It is possible more counties could be added to the declaration as damage assessments continue to come in.
Roads covered in ice and sleet as strong winds and winter weather hit Lincoln on March 19, 2025.
Top Journal Star photos for March 2025
A man walks through swath of light shining through an upper window in the rotunda last week at the Capitol, where lawmakers plan to spend 37 more days working on legislation that has been introduced. Speaker John Arch warned Monday that only "essential" bills are likely to receive attention as the clock winds down toward the end of the 90-day session.
Lauren Schilz of Wadsworth, Ill. (left), and her mother Robin Schilz play a game of cornhole during Admitted Students Day on Saturday at Nebraska Coliseum. The day offered students who are considering attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln a chance to explore campus and talk to students, faculty and alumni.
Nebraska celebrates after a home run against Oregon State on Friday at Haymarket Park.
Fourth grade students from Grant Elementary in Norfolk eat lunch on the lawn of the Capitol after a field trip Thursday, where they learned about the building's architecture and the Legislature.
Driving instructor Tariq Qasim guides Najla Shamo as she practices driving using a simulator during a driving class for refugee women at Lutheran Family Services' Lincoln office Friday. The resettlement agency was able to purchase the simulator and curriculum for the classes thanks to a grant from the Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation.
The Nebraska Mens Gymnastics Team celebrates Joey Pepe’s performance in the horizontal bar event on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.
Framed through glasses of water, Sen. Deb Fischer speaks to invited guests during the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce's Congressional Report at the Lincoln Country Club on Thursday.
Nebraska’s Lauren Camenzind slides into home plate on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln.
Nebraska's Britt Prince (center) and Jessica Petrie walk out of the court after losing to Louisville in the NCAA Tournament on Friday at the Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Kevin McCaffrey runs at Holmes Lake on Sunday. McCaffrey has been running a 50-mile ultra-marathon at the lake each month this year, inviting others to join him and raise money for good causes.
A blood moon during a total lunar eclipse is seen over the sower on top of the Nebraska Capitol early Friday morning. Lunar eclipses happen when the moon, Earth and sun align just so, causing the moon to blush a coppery red because of stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere. Lunar and solar eclipses happen anywhere from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. If you missed out on Friday, the next total lunar eclipse visible from Nebraska will be on March 3, 2026.
Omaha Skutt's George Ziebell (50) is mobbed by his teammates after scoring the game winning bucket with .5 seconds left on the clock to secure the win for the SkyHawks during their Class B semifinal state tournament game against Norris on Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Omaha Westside's Lee'Murhion Robinson brings his jersey up to cover his face after falling to Papillion-La Vista South in the Class A state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
O’Neill St. Mary’s John Mlnarik (22) embraces O’Neill St. Mary’s Gage Hedstrom (24) after cutting off a piece of the basketball net following the Class D2 State Championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews battle a fire on Thursday at an automotive business near 36th Street and Cleveland Avenue.
Ashland-Greenwood players lift the championship trophy after defeating Omaha Concordia to win the Class C-1 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Southeast celebrates winning the game on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Papillion-La Vista South's Reece Kircher (22) waves the net after defeating Omaha Westside to win the Class A state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Papillion-La Vista South's Jayden Herrera (24) recovers the ball after it was shot by Omaha Westside's Lee'Murhion Robinson (second right) as he was boxed out by La Vista South's Bryson Bahl (first right) and Grant Beckenhauer (23) in the first half of the Class A state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Johnson-Brock's Casen Dalinghaus (13) scores over Howells-Dodge's Dane Meyer (1) in the second half of the Class D-1 state championship game Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska’s Jordyn Bahl claps with dust on her hands after sliding into home base on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln.
Ja’mylah Barbee, 7, adds glue to pipe cleaners while making a model house out of recycled materials on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Belmont Community Center in Lincoln.
Lincoln Pius X's Michael Haith (4), Charles Morrow (10) and Parker Kelly (5) go up to defend a shot by Norris' Evan Greenfield (22) in the first half of a Class B first-round state tournament game Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Lincoln Lutheran's Ryan Hager (12) is hit in the face by Fillmore Central's Jarin Tweedy (5) as he tries to score a layup in the second half of a Class C-1 first-round state tournament game Wednesday at the Devaney Sports Center.
(From left) Oakland-Craig's Sabrina Rost (11), Oakland-Craig's Carolyn Magnusson (13) and Oakland-Craig's Brinley Burton (15) celebrate winning the Class C-2 state championship game on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Rob Andersen (left) helps Keiron Taylor put on a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Personal Protective Equipment suit during HazMat inventory and training on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at the Nebraska Task Force One Warehouse in Lincoln.
Waverly's Mia Jackson (left) protects the ball as York’s Kinslee Kern attempts to steal it from her on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Dorchester's Mackenzie Yager (23) and Falls City Sacred Heart's Alise Reschke (11) battle for the ball during the Class D-2 state championship game on Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The Lincoln Christian team celebrates after defeating Milford during the Class C-1 state championship game Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
A baby goat mills around the Lincoln Children's Zoo on Monday. Goats have returned to the zoo's feeding space after leaving in September 2023.
Milford players celebrate the win over Minden during a Class C-1 semifinal state basketball tournament game on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Congressman Mike Flood addresses the questions and concerns of audience members during his town hall on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Columbus High School in Lincoln.
Elizabeth Evans, a food service manager at Open Harvest Co-op Grocery, cradles a selection of cheeses featured in this year's Cheese Madness tournament. The bracket-style competition pits various cheeses against each other for customers to vote on.Â
