Gov. Dave Heineman has signed a state disaster declaration to help in the recovery process after this week's severe winter storm in Southeast Nebraska.

The storm produced high winds and heavy wet snow in Gage, Jefferson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, and Thayer Counties.

Preliminary damage estimates from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) total more than $3 million.

NEMA Assistant Director Al Berndt says "high winds and heavy snow caused power lines to fall and power poles to break, along with significant damage to area roads and trees. The extent of the damage means this will likely be a long-term process for these counties. We will work closely with local agencies to help move the recovery along.
A disaster declaration makes state resources available to help with recovery in storm damaged areas. NEMA officials continue to work with local and county emergency managers to assess the scope of damage, and will coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine whether thresholds for federal assistance have been met."