Otoe County commissioners have declared a snow disaster and are requesting assistance from state and federal sources.

“Otoe County has suffered from a disastrous blizzard,” Board Chairman Tim Nelsen said in the declaration.

He said the winter storm from Dec. 23 to Dec. 29 caused severe damage to public and private property and endangered the health and safety of the citizens.

Otoe County Clerk Janene Bennett said the cost to pay private contractors with bulldozers for snow removal has been estimated as high as $150,000. The county has already received bills totaling $80,000 and reports that all roads, except minimum maintenance roads, have been opened to at least one-lane traffic.

Bennett said crews continue to work and there are several companies that are yet to submit bills.
The county, which normally budgets $15,000 a year for snow removal, hopes disaster funds will also help pay the costs of overtime and fuel.