Flooding in Grand Island
6-26-2025
Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele has declared a state of emergency following historic rainfall and overnight flash flooding that caused significant damage primarily in the northwest part of the city.
Mayor Steele said the flooding caused severe damage to public and private property, disruption of utility services and endangerment of the health and safety of the citizens of Hall County within the disaster area. Fortunately no injuries were reported.
The heavy rainfall prompted a Flash Flood Emergency late Wednesday night, leaving streets submerged, vehicles stranded, and water pouring into basements. The city reported that some residents experienced sewer backups or fled their homes to stay with family or at local hotels.
The Grand Island Police Department responded to dozens of calls for stranded motorists, while emergency crews worked throughout the night.
Mayor Steele’s emergency declaration allows the city to use emergency funds, invoke mutual aid agreements, and request assistance from the Governor’s Emergency Fund and other state resources.
“This was an extraordinary rainstorm and is very similar to the historic rains seen in the 2005 floods,” said Hall County Emergency Manager Jon Rosenlund. “We will be actively monitoring rivers, creeks and other drainage areas over the next few days for future flooding issues.”
City officials are urging residents to stay cautious. With many roads still underwater or damaged, the city is warning drivers to avoid flooded areas and watch for hazards.
“We’re asking everyone to take it slow, avoid driving through standing water, and use alternate routes when possible,” Director of Emergency Management Jon Rosenlund said. “If you can delay your opening today, we would highly recommend you do so.”
Grand Island Public Schools and several businesses announced closures on Thursday due to road conditions.
Residents are encouraged to self-report flood damage by visiting report-ne-hall.orioncentral.com.
Emergency officials also shared the following safety tips:
- Do not drive through flooded roads — even shallow water can hide hazards or cause loss of vehicle control
- Avoid flooded parking lots, especially near storm drains or sloped areas
- Watch for detours and obey temporary signage or roadblocks
- Report hazardous conditions by calling 911
- Watch for stalled or immobile vehicles on roads or in ditches
“With daylight and receding water, the ability to more completely assess damages will shed light on the effects of this incident,” officials said. “We remind everyone that conditions are going to change throughout the day and residents are reminded to stay safe, report dangerous conditions immediately, and remember to ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown.’”
6-26-2025
Flash Flooding Continues to Affect Roads, Parking Lots
City of Grand Island
Following last night’s heavy rainfall, many areas in Grand Island experienced flooding, resulting in standing water on roads and parking lots, homes inundated with water, and dozens of vehicles stranded. There are no reported injuries or deaths as a result of this event.
Several homes reported their sewers backing up, water running into basements and some residents took shelter at local hotels or with friends and family. The Grand Island Police Department responded to dozens of calls to assist motorists who were stuck in flooded roadways.
Public safety officials are urging residents to remain cautious during their morning commute because many roads are still inundated with water and dangerous.
“We’re asking everyone to take it slow, avoid driving through standing water, and use alternate routes when possible,” Director of Emergency Management Jon Rosenlund said. “If you can delay your opening today, we would highly recommend you do so.”
The National Weather Service Hastings Office issued a Flash Flood Emergency Warning at 11:45 p.m. on June 25, following several inches of heavy rain. More than seven inches of new rain fell, approaching the all-time record for a single-day rain event.
“This was an extraordinary rainstorm and is very similar to the historic rains seen in the 2005 floods,” Rosenlund said. “We will be actively monitoring rivers, creeks and other drainage areas over the next few days for future flooding issues.”
Rosenlund and the Hall County Emergency Management team wanted to offer some key safety tips as waters begin to recede this morning:
- Do not drive through flooded roads — even shallow water can hide hazards or cause loss of vehicle control
- Avoid flooded parking lots, especially near storm drains or sloped areas where water may be deeper than it appears
- Watch for detours and obey any temporary signage or roadblocks placed by local authorities
- Report hazardous conditions by calling 911
- Watch for stalled or immobile vehicles on the roads, ditches, or parking lots
With daylight and receding water, the ability to more completely assess damages will shed light on the effects of this incident. We remind everyone that conditions are going to change throughout the day and residents are reminded to stay safe, report dangerous conditions immediately, and remember to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Residents can self-report their damages to the Emergency Management Department by visiting https://report-ne-hall.orioncentral.com/.
