Elkhorn tornado recovery offers a blueprint for future disasters, officials say

Two years after the devastating Arbor Day tornadoes struck Elkhorn, Nebraska, families are still working to rebuild their homes and lives, while local leaders develop new strategies to improve disaster recovery efforts.”I was in my laundry room, and I couldn’t open the door with 170 mile-an-hour winds,” said Gail Christensen, whose home in the Ramblewood neighborhood was severely damaged. READ MORE: Elkhorn neighborhood rebuilds one year after devastating tornadoesChristensen described the aftermath as heartbreaking. “It’s just terrible. I never wish it upon anybody,” she said. Recovery efforts remain visible, with empty lots and ongoing construction throughout the area. Disaster recovery coordinator Sarah Sjolie worked on the ground during the recovery process and later developed a plan for future disasters as a consultant for the Omaha Community Foundation. “OK, what’s your plan? How do we help you get back to a new normal?” Sjolie said. “What we learned from the Arbor Day tornado recovery is a blueprint for resiliency,” she added. Sjolie emphasized the importance of preparation before disasters strike. “Number one, making sure you read your homeowner policy and knowing what’s on there,” she said. She also advised homeowners to document their belongings. “Make sure you have photos of each one of your rooms and catalog what’s in each one of those rooms,” Sjolie said. Christensen credited organizations like the Omaha Community Foundation and COPE Christian Outreach for helping her through the recovery process. Moving forward, the Douglas County Community Organizations Active in Disaster plan will guide homeowners with a three-pronged approach: – Disaster case managers and teams to organize volunteers, clean up, and provide assistance. – The Neighbor Recovery Fund to manage and stretch donation dollars. – The Tri-County Long-Term Recovery Coalition to coordinate aid if FEMA funding is awarded to homeowners. “It enables us to expand the reach of the recovery efforts in general,” said Whitney Shipley, Douglas County emergency manager. Shipley noted that government services alone cannot address all needs, especially when there are gaps in insurance coverage.”As bad as the tornado was, it’s really brought forward the understanding of what the minute gaps are that we maybe didn’t anticipate before and has identified partners that are anxious and willing to help us,” she said. In the aftermath of the tornadoes, dozens of cases of fraud were reported. Case managers advise homeowners to obtain a copy of their active policy with a policy number when signing with a construction company and to check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure the company is legitimate.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |