Howard County Emergency Management

05/13/2026

⚠️ HEALTH ALERT NETWORK (HAN) ADVISORY ⚠️

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued a Health Alert Network advisory regarding a multi-country hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel.

The risk to the public’s health in the United States is considered extremely low at this time. Andes virus, confirmed as the cause of this hantavirus outbreak, is the only type of hantavirus documented to spread from person-to-person. Although rare, spread between people has typically required close, prolonged contact with a symptomatic person. This could include direct physical contact, prolonged time spent in close or enclosed spaces, and exposure to an infected person’s saliva, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids.

Hantavirus is a rare but serious illness most commonly spread through contact with infected rodents, their droppings, urine, or saliva. Early symptoms may include:
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea or abdominal pain

In severe cases, symptoms can progress to coughing and difficulty breathing.

Nebraska has reported fewer than 10 hantavirus cases since 1993. Health officials continue working closely with federal and state partners to monitor the situation and ensure public safety.

Learn more here:
https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/Health-Alert-Network.aspx

Read the full advisory:
https://dhhs.ne.gov/han%20Documents/ADVISORY05112026.pdf

05/01/2026

Howard County will be performing outdoor siren test at 1:00 p.m. today.

04/29/2026

Just a reminder the Courthouse will be closed today from 12:00PM-1:00PM for training.

Thank you!

04/26/2026

*** OUTDATED post/graphic from SUNDAY

The severe weather threat for today is, overall, trending lower, especially for areas of south central Nebraska further removed from along the state line. Both the tornado and wind threat are decreasing the most, but large hail up to golf ball size remains a concern. We're looking at two main rounds of storms: late morning through early afternoon, then again late overnight, mainly after midnight. Stay tuned for additional outlook refinements throughout the day!

04/26/2026

6:30AM 4/26/26: Monitoring a complex of severe storms to our north this morning, moving into our general area. This will be the focus to see additional possible development later today as this complex continues southeast. Be weather aware especially if you have outdoor plans and have a PLAN in case storms threaten your area!

04/24/2026

04/17/2026

Clearing skies and decreasing winds will allow temperatures to fall near and below freezing overnight-Saturday morning. The coldest temperatures are expected to be across central and northwestern portions of the area. A Freeze Watch is in effect tonight-Saturday morning for central and northwestern portions of the area.

04/17/2026

Northwest winds gusting 30-45mph are expected behind a cold front this morning, with winds remaining gusty into the afternoon hours. Temperatures this afternoon will be in the upper 40s to low 60s. Clearing skies and decreasing winds will result in temperatures falling near to below freezing overnight A Freeze Watch is in effect tonight-Saturday morning. Highs on Saturday will be in the mid 50s to low 60s. Breezy winds and low relative humidity will result in near-critical fire weather conditions Saturday afternoon-evening. Highs in the 60s and 70s on Sunday.