ICE JAM SPOTTED SOUTH OF CLARKS, NEBRASKA

(GRAND ISLAND, NE) An ice jam has been identified south of Clarks, Nebraska, along Prairie Island Road by Tom Smith, Merrick County emergency manager.  The Central Platte Natural Resources District reminds residents in that area to take the following precautions:

1.  Ice Jam flooding can occur quickly.  In just a matter of hours, channels can become clogged and flooding may occur.   Once ice begins to clog a waterway, the water can back up quickly.  If you live near a channel with ice, be constantly aware of the level of the water.  Be prepared to evacuate. 

2.  Flood waters can be deep.  Whenever there are rushing floodwaters, roads and bridges can be washed away quickly making it nearly impossible to tell how deep the water is.  Although it may look shallow, do not drive into flooded, potentially washed out areas.  People have been trapped in their vehicles or have drowned when trying to cross moving flood waters.  A good phrase to remember is: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!”

3.  It pays to be prepared.  Build A Kit:  Assemble enough emergency supplies for at least 3 days including:

  • Water/Food: 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days; for drinking and sanitizing food.
      Have at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and can opener.

  • Radio: Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.

  • Emergency Items: flashlight, first aid kit, whistle to signal for help, wrench/pliers to turn off utilities, cell
      phone and charger, inverter, or solar charger; extra batteries for all emergency items.

Family Planning: Discuss where to meet and a friend to call if you get separated. Make- an evacuation plan and practice it, a list of important information.  Share emergency phone numbers with all family members.

Be Informed:  Learn about types of emergencies most likely to affect your community and adapt them to your personal circumstances. Make every effort to follow instructions received from authorities. 

In an emergency, contact 911.  Emergency Manager contact information for counties in the CPNRD:
    Boone, Merrick, Nance Counties- Tom Smith  (308) 536-4443   Cell: 308-550-1685

    Buffalo County- Darrin Lewis  (308) 233-3225                  Hall County- Jon Rosenlund  (308) 385-5360              
    Hamilton- Kirt Smith or Tom Cox  (402) 694-5126 
    Phelps, Gosper, Hitchcock, Frontier- Patrick Gerdes   (308) 995-2250

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  Marcia Lee
  Information/Education Specialist

  Central Platte Natural Resources District
  215 Kaufman Ave  Grand Island NE 68803
  Tel: (308) 385-6282  www.cpnrd.org