Nebraska’s governor honored a group of dozens of heroes who all saved lives during the flooding in the state earlier this year.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, first lady Susanne Shore, Maj. Gen. Daryl L. Bohac – adjutant general of the Nebraska Guard and director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency – and NEMA Assistant Director Bryan Tuma gathered at the Capitol last Tuesday to give Flood Heroes awards.

“Nebraskans showed their strength, grit, and compassion in countless ways,” Ricketts said. “They rescued stranded neighbors and animals, sandbagged wells, donated hay and supplies, delivered hot meals and raised funds for those who lost everything. This State Capitol ceremony is the first of several ways we plan to honor heroes from the floods over the course of the next year.”

Hundreds of nominations were made detailing extraordinary acts of compassion and bravery after the blizzards and flooding last March created the most widespread natural disaster in the state’s history, claiming lives and causing billions of dollars in damage. Disaster declarations were issued in 84 counties, 104 cities and villages, and five tribes.

James Wilke, a farmer from Columbus, was the first Flood Hero recognized at the ceremony. Wilke sacrificed his life while volunteering to save a stranded motorist, according to a release.

An award was also presented to air crewmen and coordinators at the Nebraska National Guard. The guard rescued 112 people, including 66 by hoist rescues, and saved 13 pets. Many rescues were conducted in severe weather – with some flying conditions worse than in military operations conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A group of seven Fremont area first responders were also honored for attempting to rescue a stranded family with a 2-year-old living along the Elkhorn River. They used two of their own airboats; one capsized as winds gusted 50 mph and the other also eventually overturned. The Nebraska Army National Guard ultimately rescued the men with a Black Hawk helicopter from Columbus, while Nebraska Games and Parks used an airboat to rescue the family. Fremont’s Fire Chief nicknamed them “The Magnificent Seven” for their heroism, and after they recovered at a hospital, they went back on more rescue missions.

Several fire departments were also recognized by the governor for their lifesaving actions.

Those recognized at the ceremony were the Ainsworth Fire Department, Cedar Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Fremont Fire Department, Lynch Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Mead Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Monroe Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Nickerson Volunteer Fire Department, North Bend Volunteer Fire Department, Pierce Volunteer Fire Department, Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Waterloo Fire Department.

Others who were honored but unable to attend included Chapman Fire Department, Fremont Rural Volunteer Fire Department, O’Neill Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasanton Fire Department, Spencer Volunteer Fire Department and Wood River Volunteer Fire Department.

The Nebraska Airboaters Association and Nebraska Task Force 1 were also recognized along with many individual honorees.