Tornado-Stricken Nebraska Town Recovery Expected to Cost Millions

Nebraska officials are still tallying the cost of the tornadoes that destroyed most of the town of Pilger, but it’s expected to climb into the tens of millions.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency will send teams to the northeast Nebraska community this week to assess damage to roads, bridges and public buildings, such as the school and local fire department. Last week, teams started to tally the cost of private property damage not covered by insurance.

The June 16 tornado damaged 75 percent to 80 percent of Pilger, a town with a population of about 350.

The Nebraska National Guard has left town, but a spokeswoman for Gov. Dave Heineman says the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and five other state agencies are still providing assistance to the area.