U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) sent a letter Wednesday to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of Governor Dave Heineman’s request for agricultural disaster declarations for nine Nebraska counties due to crop damage as a result of extensive storms and flooding earlier this summer.

“Nebraska farmers and ranchers suffered huge losses earlier this summer from storms and flooding, and it’s my hope that Secretary Vilsack will take quick action regarding the Governor’s request,” said Johanns. “A disaster declaration will ensure those hardest hit are eligible for much-needed assistance.”

The request includes the counties of Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Cheyenne, Dawson, Garfield, Holt, Johnson and Kimball. A Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation is necessary to gain access to disaster assistance programs, including low-interest loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE).