Pillen addresses tornado damage, recovery efforts

Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement in the aftermath of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that resulted in damage across eastern Nebraska Friday:

"Suzanne and I extend our deepest prayers to all those impacted by today's storms. I have ordered that state resources be made available to assist with the emergency response and to support local first responders as they assess the damage. Nebraskans are tough, resilient people, and our neighbors and communities will rally around affected families and businesses to assist them. Nebraskans are no strangers to severe weather and, as they have countless times before, Nebraskans will help Nebraskans to rebuild."

The governor and his team are in continuous touch with local officials, emergency management directors, and law enforcement leaders. People in affected areas are urged to avoid downed powerlines and follow all law enforcement directives as work continues to assess the damage.

On Monday, Pillen, along with Nebraska State Patrol Colonel John Bolduc toured the damage, via NSP helicopter, giving officials a sense of the scope of the damage.

"After seeing the devastation from above, it's even more amazing to know that there were only minor injuries reported in Nebraska," NSP officials said in a Twitter post, thanking the National Weather Service Omaha office and local media for the warnings they provided "that undoubtedly saved lives."