Team Offutt flood prevention effort continues

  • Published
  • By David R Hopper
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  Team Offutt volunteers filled and laid nearly 350,000 sandbags along the Missouri River and Papio Creek to prevent floodwaters from impacting base facilities June 10 - 13.

"I was very impressed with the teamwork and quick planning that enabled us to go from procuring the sand and sandbags on Thursday to laying sandbags over the weekend," said Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th Wing commander. "Most people had zero experience at this, so the fact that we covered most of our southern and eastern borders within three days of getting the supplies was fantastic."

The sand bagging effort along the Missouri River and Papio Creek was completed on June 13, four days after receiving the sand and bags. Smaller teams will now focus on laying sandbags to protect on-base facilities.

"The water is forecasted to rise to the top of the levees later this week, and this is why it was so important to quickly fill in the most vulnerable sections and to lower the risk to our base," said General Bacon. "We'll continue to do risk mitigation with the goal of protecting our people and resources and to keep our mission capabilities strong."

Leadership from the 55th Wing has been working closely with the Army Corp of Engineers and Nebraska's Natural Resources District to reinforce and raise the existing levee system.

"The amount of work that has been done over the past four days is phenomenal," said Col. Michael Allshouse, 55th Mission Support Group commander. "This has truly been a team effort at Offutt. All agencies on base pulled together to make this happen."

Some flood concerns cannot be addressed with sweat and sandbags. Individuals are advised to avoid contact with flood water due to raw sewage accidentally released into the Missouri River in flooded areas. Other concerns include insects like mosquitoes which carry West Nile virus.

To prepare yourself and your family visit the Sarpy and Cass county Department of Health and Wellness website and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website.