Flooding History Resources

Southeast Nebraska Deluged by Rain and Flooding

In May 2015, much of southeastern Nebraska was affected in varying degrees by flooding. Major flooding impacted Lincoln, DeWitt, Beatrice, and Fairbury, among other communities. This article highlights some of the areas affected, some of the worst impacts, and some areas where proactive floodplain management resulted in fewer damages.

January 2015 Ice Jam

The rapid warming at the end of January, 2015 caused a quick break-up of ice in the lower Platte River. As ice breaks up into large chunks quickly, it starts flowing all at once, which drastically increases the potential for ice jam flooding. Between Ashland and Yutan, the ice got blocked up and sent water flowing out of the banks of the Platte rapidly, which caused major problems for some homeowners, the Two Rivers State Park, and communities on both sides of the river.

Louisville Remembers Deadly 1923 Flood

In 1923, Mill Creek rose up and destroyed much of Louisville, in eastern Nebraska. This article, written by the Assistant Editor for Publications at the Nebraska Historical Society, takes readers through that fateful day and the aftermath of the flood. Tales are recounted and taken from publications that have kept the history of the 1923 flood alive.