Local farmer sending hay to flood-damaged Nebraska
Aerial view of Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, flooded. U.S. Air Force photo.
Manchester farmer John Schiel has a big heart and helps where he can. This weekend he is doing what he can to help with the devastation in Nebraska. And you can help, too.
A combination of weather events including significant winter snow fall, warm weather leading to snow melting quickly, and intense downpours produced an enormous amount of runoff all at once this spring. Rivers overflowed, multiple levees failed, bridges washed away, and at least three people have died. While Missouri and Iowa have also been seriously affected, Nebraska has been the hardest hit.
On March 18, Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts declared a state of emergency and stated that these floods have caused the most extensive damage the state has ever experienced. So far, Nebraska has more than $1 billion in flood damage and 3/4 of its counties have declared an emergency. Flood damage estimates include $400 million in cattle losses, $440 million in crop losses, and $449 million in road damage.
On Saturday morning, with a police escort, a convoy of trucks are headed from Michigan to Nebraska, taking everything from toiletries to cattle feed. Schiel is loading up his truck full of hay to send out on the convoy. He will load his hay Friday night and then return Saturday morning to send off the convoy.
John Schiel, 2016, working on Allis Chalmers B tractor.
If you would like to send donations for the convoy with Schiel, he is offering to take them. Drop them off on his front porch at 10491 Hogan Road before Friday afternoon. He is also accepting funds to help with the convoy. The semi truck drivers are volunteering their time and use of their trucks. Drivers will be paying out of pocket if not enough monetary donations come in to cover the costs. In addition, you can donate gas cards to TA, Pilot, or LOVE, or fast food gift cards for the drivers.
Schiel stated, “I appreciate any help; (the situation) is very bad. I’ve talked to many farmers I know personally, and things are horrible. One friend started with 4,000 hogs and is down to 17. Houses and barns are full of mud, or just gone. Washed away.” He is hoping to go out in July and volunteer in person for a week.
Schiel will be driving his truck loaded high with hay through town around 4:30 pm on Friday. He’ll have a sign on it indicating it is headed for Nebraska. If you see him, give him a honk or a wave.
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