Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews have responded to several water rescues following historic flooding since Wednesday night. LFR rescued four people from two flooded minivans near 1st and South Street as street flooding continued Thursday morning.
LFR Battalion Chief Mark Majors tells KLIN News the vehicles were partially submerged, leaving them stalled in floodwaters. Firefighters used personal flotation devices and protective suits to safely assist all four occupants out of the water.
Majors says flooding could continue to worsen in some areas as local creeks and streams reach their highest levels. “A street that’s clear right now could potentially start to rise or flood just a little bit more.”
Majors reminds drivers to never attempt to drive through floodwaters, warning that hidden dangers, including displaced storm drains, can put both motorists and rescuers at risk. “Turn around, don’t try and go through flooded waters,” Majors says.
Lincoln Airport measured 6.15 inches of rain Wednesday, breaking the city’s all-time calendar-day rainfall record of 5.45 inches set August 29, 1910. The deluge pushed September precipitation at the airport to 11.49 inches, making September 2026 Lincoln’s wettest September on record and the fourth-wettest month of any month in the city’s weather record.