6 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
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2019 Annual Report
A Year of Flooding
P A R K S R E B O U N D F R O M H I S T O R I C E V E N T S
For all of its achievements and the joy it brought people who spend time outdoors with family
and friends, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also faced a formidable challenge in
2019. Major weather events in the Platte, Elkhorn and Missouri River watersheds during March
and July resulted in historic flooding. Direct impacts were felt at many Commission properties
and, no doubt, by wildlife habitats and properties across the state. The meritorious work of
Commission staff and gracious volunteers in response to the flooding included rescues, damage
assessment, cleanup, repairs and rebuilding showing our resiliency. For that, the agency is quite
proud.
RESPONSE AND RESCUE ̐ Conservation officers were called upon to perform numerous
search, rescue and recovery operations of missing, lost, injured or endangered persons
throughout the year, including during floods. The flooding enlisted conservation officers,
and some other agency staff, in rescue boats, where they retrieved more than 100 people
from flooded homes. During these floods, law enforcement personnel logged more than 2,100
hours and drove in excess of 31,000 miles responding to these calls for service. As a result of
our efforts, the Law Enforcement Division proudly accepted a Life Saving Award of Valor as
Conservation officer Travis Shepler (steering boat) helping evacuate residents of Seward who were caught
unexpectedly in the floods of the Big Blue River.
