Assessing Perceptions of Emergency Response Among Nebraskans Affected by the 2019 Flood Disasters

Abstract Objective In March 2019, flooding of the Missouri River and its tributaries destroyed infrastructure and farmland and affected communities, including those in the state of Nebraska. The objective of this study was to assess emergency preparedness and satisfaction with flood response, recovery, and relief efforts 5 years following the 2019 floods in rural eastern Nebraska. Methods Using stratified simple random sampling, this study surveyed 13 Nebraska communities to assess emergency preparedness and satisfaction with flood response, recovery, and relief efforts 5 years following the 2019 Missouri River Flood. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results Households impacted by the 2019 Nebraska flood reported worsening physical and mental health symptoms and identified major gaps in communication, long-term mental health support, and infrastructure resilience. Self-reported preparedness improved post-flood. Inadequate early warnings and poor information dissemination eroded trust. Conclusions There are persistent mental and physical health impacts resulting from exposure to the 2019 Missouri River floods that can impact communities’ ability to respond and recover from subsequent hazards. Evaluating the impacts of previous disasters is a critical component of increasing community resiliency and local public health and emergency preparedness capacity to serve these populations.