About a dozen semi-trucks traveled as far as 200 miles — most in a single-file line — on Tuesday making their way to Ag Park in Columbus.
Loaded on these trucks was several tons of hay that is being distributed to Platte County-area farmers whose livestock is in need of the vital substance in the weeks following the severe March flooding.
Charles Earnest, a driver for S R Farms out of Wilsonville, said that people from Wilsonville, McCook, Bartley, Cambridge and even a truck from South Dakota made the trek to Columbus to be of assistance.
“We are trying to help farmers up here; there are so many who need it (hay) because of the flood,†Earnest said while waiting to unload the numerous hay bales piled on his semi. “All of this is donated – the trucking and hay, just from different people around the (McCook) area. We are just out here trying to help out."
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Earnest noted that dozens of people in his neck of the woods collaborated for more than a week preparing for the drop. From wrangling up trucks and volunteers, to coordinating with farmers who donated bales, he said, it was a real team effort.
“We know the need is here so we just brought it up to help with that,†he said, noting his company did something similar a few years back to aid Kansas producers after a fire tore through a portion of the state. "That’s really what it’s all about. Just getting it to them so their cattle can get fed.â€
Jill Goedeken of Nebraska Extension-Platte County said that the generosity will pay dividends in terms of allowing numerous producers to tend to the needs of their livestock.
“Our flood recovery effort from a producer standpoint really is more of a marathon than a sprint,†she said. “But the hay and the feed is an immediate need as we get more into the spring and summer months. Just with the conditions of our pastures there may be a longstanding need, and there is also the issue of how much hay farmers will be able to produce because of the flooding.â€
One local farmer appreciative of the undertaking is Ed Klug. Klug said that he owns land east of Columbus and is a member of the Nebraska Cattlemen.Â
On Tuesday, Klug made his way around the Ag Park lot and spoke to several people expressing his gratitude. He said that his property was affected some, but nothing like some producers to the west and north of Platte County.
“When I saw all these trucks coming in I wanted to give them a big ‘Thank You,’†he said. “Just to tell them that it is really appreciated what they are doing.â€
Flood relief efforts in Nebraska
Photos, videos: #NebraskaStrong in flood-ravaged areas
Outrunning the water
North Bend hero
Levee breach
Sweet messages
Nebraska City aerial
This is Nebraska City and the miles-wide Missouri River behind it.
— NEStatePatrol (@NEStatePatrol)
Operation Prairie Hay Drop photos
The has been supporting the ongoing response in Eastern Nebraska following massive flooding on the state’s river systems which began a week ago and caused catastrophic damage to the state’s infrastructure and agriculture.
— NE National Guard (@NENationalGuard)
(3/3)
Washed-up chunk of ice
Cleanup in Beatrice
Missouri River at Nebraska 2/I-29
Much-needed rest
📸- Waterloo firefighter getting some much needed rest after spending hours making rescues Sunday. |
— Omaha Scanner (@omaha_scanner)
Horses rescued
Empty shelves
Seeing empty shelves at the store because all of the products were purchased for flood relief and trucks full of supplies in front of DSAC made me so proud of our community!
— Ally Logan (@AllyJ_Logan)
View of the Platte/Missouri
View of the Platte looking west near the confluence with the Missouri River.
— Maj Gen Daryl Bohac (@NETAGBohac)
Edge of Offutt
(at the edge of Offutt Air Force Base)
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse)
North Bend ovation
Great moment: at tonight’s North Bend community meeting the North Bend Fire Department recieves a standing ovation for their tireless work during the flood. 😅
— North Bend Eagle (@northbendeagle)
Pence with rescuers
Americans like Brad Brown & his airboat co-pilot Jake Rohr are the heart of the heartland. Brad & Jake have been helping victims of the flooding & delivering much needed supplies. Grateful for their service & ALL the volunteers & emergency personnel helping Nebraskans in need!
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP)
Lincoln help for Santee Sioux
Buying out the bleach
When you go to the grocery store and your hometown bank is buying out all the bleach in Laurel to take to Osmond for flood cleanup.
— Melissa S Graham (@MelissaSGraham1)
Help from North Platte
— Chandra Laine (@ChandraLaine)
We are a group of volunteers gathering donations in North Platte Ne . We sent one semi to Fremont. We have two more semi trailers almost full.Get our 4th semi on Thursday. To the people, Your battle is our battle. We stand with you. We got you! â¤
Help for farmers
Thanks to generious donations to the Disaster Relief Fund, we were able to deliver supplies to farmers along the Niobrara River. We brought them milk replacement for calves and medicine. Help us do more good by donating to the fund:
— Nebraska Farm Bureau (@NEFarmBureau)
Niobrara ice chunks
Trooper Viterna #480 standing next to ice chunks from the Niobrara River that were left behind after causing all kinds of damage.
— NSP Troop B Nights (@NSPTroopBNights)
Sandbagging at Cooper
A Nebraska National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter picks up sandbags to take to the Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville as part of the response to historic flooding. Video courtesy Nebraska State Patrol.
— NE National Guard (@NENationalGuard)
Pence in Nebraska
Visited the relief shelter at Elkhorn Middle School today to let the Nebraska flood victims know and I are WITH them & to thank the incredible military personnel & volunteers helping those impacted. THANK YOU!
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP)
I-680 Mormon bridge
Wow. The 680 Mormon bridge east side pic this afternoon. This much water even with the river already having crested.
— Paul West (@PaulWestCoach)
Sasse surveying damage
Where is the river?
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse)
And where is it not? uggh...
Latest from NEMA
Declared jurisdictions as of 3:00 p.m. today.
— NEMA (@NEMAtweets)
Repairing the roads
Beer fridge was stocked!
For those of you that don't know, our state of is going through record flooding. Sometimes though, the world sends you a break. These guys went to their and found a fully-stocked .
— Fat Boy Wild Game (@gameseasonings)
Bellevue aftermath
Flying in supplies
The Nebraska flooding is so heartbreaking but the whole state has stepped up to help. I can’t be more proud of my brother for flying his plane to Fremont with baby supplies to help. Proud to be from Nebraska
— Michelle Galles (@WakefieldFCCLA)
Offutt before and after
Historic flooding in has over 74 cities under emergency declarations. Shown here are before and after images of Offutt Air Force Base along the River.
— DigitalGlobe (@DigitalGlobe)
Fremont aerials
I joined the Fremont National Guard in Nebraska today to get an aerial view of flooding impact as we traveled to thank volunteers in Fremont, NE, address a community meeting in Niobrara, and receive a briefing in Lynch. | |
— Scott (@FirstMinScott)
U.S. 81 south of Columbus
ðŸ“Hwy 81 south of Columbus open to passenger vehicles only. Be careful of 🚧construction 🚧equipment along highway
— NSP_TrooperGena (@NSP_TrooperGena)
Genoa, Fullerton
Headworks between Genoa and Fullerton. Back gravel road is gone. (Loup Power Park along the canal)
— NSP_TrooperGena (@NSP_TrooperGena)