Federal Disaster Loans Available After Nebraska Winter Storms

By Scout Nelson

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated multiple Nebraska counties as natural disaster areas following severe winter storms and straight-line winds that struck in March.

This official Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend critical emergency credit to help communities recover.

“This Presidential disaster declaration allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans.

Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.”

The triggering declaration, M4868, lists Nebraska as the impacted area. “Triggering Presidential Designation M4868: Impacted Area: Nebraska Triggering Disaster: Severe Winter Storms and Straight-line Winds Application Deadline: 1/21/2026.”

Primary Nebraska counties eligible for assistance include Boone, Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nuckolls, Otoe, Platte, Polk, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Webster, and York.

Contiguous Nebraska counties such as Adams, Antelope, Dakota, Dixon, Franklin, Gage, Greeley, Hall, Kearney, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Nemaha, Pawnee, Stanton, Wayne, and Wheeler also qualify, along with select counties in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

A second declaration, M4869, covers parts of Kansas but also includes contiguous Nebraska counties Franklin, Furnas, Harlan, Nuckolls, and Webster, which are eligible for the same federal support.

Residents in the designated areas have until January 21, 2026, to apply for emergency loans. These funds can be used to replace essential equipment, reorganize operations, or refinance specific debts as communities rebuild after the storms.

This federal action provides timely financial resources and stability for Nebraska counties as they recover from significant winter weather impacts and prepare for future growing seasons.

Photo Credit:usda