LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraskans who need housing, tools or other assistance to recover from this month’s flooding can now post a request on a new state website.

Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled the website Thursday as part of the effort to help flooding victims and collect private donations for the effort. The website can be viewed at www.nebraska.gov/nebraska-strong/.

The website is accepting requests for housing, tools and other needs. Requests will be reviewed before being posted.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has also set up a hotline for general public questions. The number is 402-817-1551.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association is also hosting a flood relief drive on Friday in partnership with the American Red Cross. A phone bank will be open 5 a.m. through 11 p.m. Friday. The toll-free number is 1-844-278-8555.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) arrested three people and seized several illegal drugs during multiple traffic stops on Wednesday, March 20.

The first incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. MDT when a trooper received a report of a vehicle parked on County Road 14 in Banner County. When the troopers arrived on scene, he discovered an Acura Integra with no license plates. Two individuals were sleeping inside the vehicle.

Upon contacting the occupants, the trooper discovered a bag of methamphetamine lying on the ground. A search of the vehicle revealed additional bags of methamphetamine, weighing a total of 75 grams. The two occupants, Justin Zambrowski, 42, of Scottsbluff, and Rachel Wasserburger, 23, of Box Elder, South Dakota were arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were lodged in Scotts Bluff County Jail.

Shortly after that, at approximately 1:00 p.m. MDT, another trooper observed an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe speeding on Interstate 80 near Paxton at mile marker 147. Upon contacting the driver, the trooper detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 40 pounds of high grade marijuana, approximately 280 THC vape oil cartridges, and approximately 1 pound of hash budder.

The driver, Mary Estrin, 39, of Fairfield, Iowa was arrested for possession of marijuana – more than one pound, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of hash with intent to deliver, and no drug tax stamp. Estrin was lodged in Keith County Jail.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the spring flood threat in the U.S. (all times local):

12:05 p.m.

U.S. weather experts say the stage is set for unprecedented major flooding this spring for most of the nation.

In Thursday’s spring forecast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says more than 200 million Americans are at risk for some kind of flooding, with 13 million of them at risk of major inundation.

National Weather Service deputy director Mary Erickson said the current flooding in Nebraska, Iowa, and the South is a preview for an all-too wet and dangerous spring. She expects flooding to get worse and widespread, reaching most of the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

Forecasters say the biggest risks include all three Mississippi River basins, plus the basins of the Red River of the North, the Great Lakes, the eastern Missouri River, the lower Ohio River, the lower Cumberland River and the Tennessee River.

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11:25 a.m.

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say flooding could reach unprecedented levels in parts of the U.S. later this spring, as winter snow melts and swollen rivers rise.

Mary Erickson, deputy director of the National Weather Service, said during a conference call Thursday that existing flooding along the Mississippi River and other waterways is expected to get worse, possibly even worse than historic floods in 1993 and 2011.

NOAA said in an advisory that the threat of flooding in Southern states this spring is “potentially historic.”

Forecasters have said that rapidly melting snow in the upper Midwest is contributing to flooding that will eventually make its way downstream to the Gulf Coast.

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1 a.m.

Scientists are warning that historic flooding could soon deluge parts of several Southern states along the lower Mississippi River, where floodwaters could persist for several weeks.

The flood threat in the South will be discussed Thursday when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration releases its 2019 spring outlook. Experts plan a briefing on their flood forecast at the National Water Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Thursday’s report is aimed at helping emergency managers and other safety officials to prepare for flooding.

NOAA said in an advisory that the threat of flooding in Southern states this spring is “potentially historic.”

Forecasters have said that rapidly melting snow in the upper Midwest is contributing to flooding that will eventually make its way downstream to the Gulf Coast.

Police say no foul play is suspected after a body was discovered behind a North Platte business on Thursday morning.

On March 21, at 7:32 AM, officers responded to the 100 block of West Leota reference a reported death.

The officer located the deceased male, who had been found on the ground in an enclosed area where the trash cans of a nearby business are stored.

The death is not considered suspicious and appears to be natural causes. The release of the male’s name is pending notification of next of kin.

Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) SWAT team have arrested two people following a standoff in Minden.

NSP Investigators learned Wednesday morning that two suspects wanted in connection with a home invasion robbery were inside a residence at 218 East 7^th Street in Minden. The home invasion robbery took place in Harlan County at an earlier date and involved a weapon.

NSP SWAT was called to the scene at approximately 1:00 p.m. to assist in the operation. Several announcements were made from outside the house in an attempt to get the suspects to surrender voluntarily. The suspects did not respond to the announcements, nor did they respond to phone calls.

SWAT utilized a police service dog and a robot before troopers entered the home. A short time later, a NSP K9 detected that someone was behind a closed bedroom door.

Using an NSP Light Armored Vehicle, SWAT troopers were able to position themselves where they could break windows into the room where the suspects were thought to be. Additional announcements were made and the suspects, Brock Teel, 29, and Rylie Bryson, 18, were taken into custody without further incident at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Weapons and drug paraphernalia were found inside the residence. The investigation is ongoing.

Update March 21, 2019

Police have identified the victim as 63-year-old Kenneth Laureys from Riverdale, Maryland. Laureys was traveling through the area.

The driver, a North Platte resident, has not been identified.

Officer Beth Kerr says it is up to the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office to determine if any charges will be filed.

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A pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle in North Platte.

According to North Platte Police, officers responded to the report of a pedestrian versus vehicle accident at the intersection of Ninth and Jeffers Streets at around 4:31 p.m., on Wednesday.

Officer Beth Kerr says the pedestrian was transported to Great Plains Health where they soon died from their injuries.

A preliminary investigation shows that the pedestrian was walking eastbound on Ninth Street and the vehicle was westbound on Ninth Street.

Police say the victim entered the roadway from the southwest corner of the intersection and was struck by the vehicle as they turned south onto Jeffers Street.

The victim was from out of state and their identity is being withheld pending the notification of family members. The driver, who was not identified, is a North Platte resident.

The accident remains under investigation.

Governor Pete Ricketts has issued two new executive orders to provide relief to flood-impacted communities.

Executive Order 19-03 gives farmers and ranchers a reasonable amount of time to dispose of deceased livestock lost due to severe weather and flooding. Executive Order 19-04 temporarily suspends requirements for trip permits and fuel tax permits for certain vehicles engaged in flood relief.

“In light of the historic flooding and devastation our communities have experienced, the Governor’s Office is working to cut red tape,” said Taylor Gage, Director of Strategic Communications for Governor Ricketts.  “These executive orders will help our communities as they work to recover and rebuild after the most widespread natural disaster in state history.”

These orders are in addition to the Governor’s emergency declaration issued on March 12^th and another executive order issued last week.  The directives are effective immediately until April 15, 2019.  Nebraska continues to encourage surrounding states to temporarily ease their restrictions as well.

The Governor’s Office, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency are staying in touch with Nebraska’s agriculture associations on a daily basis to assess emerging needs.  State agencies are providing assistance as requests are made by local emergency managers.