Mayor John W. Ewing, Jr.

10/22/2026

Omaha, amazing news to report about our latest crime stats - through Q3. Omaha is safer than it's been in decades.

To note:
* We are still holding at 10 homicides for the year - the lowest annual total number since 1990.
* Now 10 is way too many. Each life is precious and we mourn each loss.
* But it does signal a drop in violent crime that - if we keep this up - could bring Omaha to its lowest per capita homicide rate than when Kennedy was in office. Nonfatal shootings are down, investigations are delivering results, we are rebuilding community trust and building our police ranks.

You can read more in an op-ed that Chief Todd Schmaderer and I wrote for last Sunday's Omaha World-Herald or read the piece in its entirety on my website.

In a World-Herald op-ed, Omaha Mayor John Ewing and Omaha Police Department chief Todd Smaderer share why crime in Omaha has dropped.

10/14/2026

Days like today remind me why community matters so much.
At the Girls Inc. “She is Proof” luncheon, I had the privilege of presenting a Key to the City to someone who truly represents the heart of Omaha: the amazing Yolanda Ross.
Watching Yolanda’s journey over the years has been a masterclass in resilience and courage. She took her roots right here in Omaha and turned every challenge into a stepping stone, proving that determination can light up even the biggest stages.
Seeing the young girls in the room look up at her with bright eyes and big dreams was everything. Yolanda doesn't just talk about potential—she lives it, proving to the next generation that they are proof of what’s possible, too.
Thank you, Girls Inc., for creating spaces that lift up our leaders and inspire our future!

10/11/2026

Flood aid announcement from the Salvation Army for Millard Woods Estates below. Remember, you can find general flood updates and resources on my website under a special tab. Call 211 for assistance.

Local Salvation Army officials announced on Saturday a new effort to provide wrap-around support to flood-impacted residents of the Millard Woods Estates RV and mobile home park, which was
extensively damaged in the recent metro-area flash foods.

The effort will take the form of a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) event – which is set for 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 13 inside Millard Public Schools’ Ron Witt Support Services Center (13737 Industrial Rd.) – just a half-mile away from Millard Woods Estates.

Flood-impacted residents of Millard Woods Estates are invited to attend the MARC so they can simultaneously receive a variety of disaster-recovery support from five different agencies, all of them set up in one location:

 Together, Inc. – will assist with emergency housing

 Heartland Hope Mission – will provide basic-needs / household-items support

 Region VI – will provide mental-health crisis support

 City of Omaha – will assist via intaking flood-affected residents and doing needs assessments

 The Salvation Army – will provide $250 Walmart gift cards (one per flood-impacted household)

A Salvation Army canteen (food truck) will be serving free lunches during the MARC event -- while supplies last.

PLEASE NOTE: Millard Woods Estates residents seeking Walmart gift cards must bring these items with them and speak with a Salvation Army representative when they stop by the MARC event on Tuesday:

 a photo ID

 a piece of mail dated anytime within the last 30 days showing name and address

 if they are renters who are renting the house they’d been living in, they will need to bring a copy of their current lease paperwork.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: Millard Woods Estates residents do not need to present the aforementioned three items inorder to receive the other services being provided at the MARC (i.e., the services provided by the first four of the above-listed agencies).

The Salvation Army thanks these fellow agencies and Millard Public Schools for their collaboration on this event.

10/09/2026

The first townhall meeting is just over 2 weeks away!

I’m hitting the road for a series of upcoming Town Hall meetings, and I’d love for you to join me!
Local progress happens when we show up together. Whether you have ideas to share, questions about our ongoing city initiatives, or just want to catch up, these sessions are built around hearing directly from you.
Here’s what we’ll be diving into:
Open Q&A: Share your vision, ask questions, and let me know what’s on your mind.
City Updates: Get the latest inside scoop on upcoming projects and community priorities.
Neighborhood Connections: Meet fellow residents who are passionate about making a difference.
Bring your energy, bring a neighbor, and let’s keep moving our community forward together

10/07/2026

Flood, continued:

Re-upping our flood resources page, which we're continually updating.

Also, for Karen residents, a large Dumpster has been placed at 6109 Karen Drive - please use it if you can.

We are trying to assess damage in other parts of the city. Call the United Way of the Midlands Help Line - 211 if you are affected.

And to help our neighbors, please consider donating to the Salvation Army's designated fund for vicitms of this flood.

10/05/2026

How to help update:

It's heartening to see Omahans step up for their neighbors. Please know that material donations onsite are not being accepted at this time. Please do not bring them to the Karen Addition area.

To help, the Salvation Army is collecting financial donations here:

In the wake of the October 1st flash floods, The Salvation Army of Omaha is taking in monetary donations to provide direct relief to flood survivors around the metro. https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/campaign/623100/donate

10/05/2026

Monday afternoon update on flood resources:

1) Anyone with flood damage in any part of Omaha is encouraged to reach out to 211. This is the United Way of the Midlands hotline and they can connect with human services and also track need.

2) Unless you have a reason to be in a flood-impacted area like Karen, we ask that you steer clear and let residents and community services do what they need to recover.

For Karen Addition residents:

The American Red Cross Serving Nebraska and Southwest Iowa will provide lunches through Sunday

The The Salvation Army Western Division is prepared to serve dinner nightly at Karen Western Elementary, 6224 H St., through Sunday and beyond, if necessary, starting at 5 p.m. Monday night.

Food pantry distribution: Tuesday (10.6) at 5 p.m.: Ralston High School, 8969 Park Drive

Showers:
The Salvation Army is operating a mobile shower unit near Karen Western Elementary School, 6224 H St. and Karen Park until further notice with hours subject to change daily. Please check Salvation Army Western Division on Facebook and news media reports on a daily basis for updates.

Public health concerns
Call Douglas County Health Department: 402-444-3400

Debris management and disposal
Donated Redbox dumpsters remain available through Friday. These are red-colored dumpsters placed in the street in scattered locations in the neighborhood. Use those as needed.

The City of Omaha has provided appliance dumpster located in City right-of-way outside Iglasia El Shaddai Church, 6109 Karen St.

The City is working on a separate collection of hazardous materials or chemicals.

Masks, gloves, cleaning supplies will be available as supplies last at Ralston Public Schools HQ, 8545 Park Drive., 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The City Planning Department is waiving all permit fees for storm-affected properties.

Gas Service Restoration
Homeowners must secure professional contractor inspections before Metropolitan Utilities District restores gas service. Call 402-554-6666.

10/05/2026

Good morning and thank you to all who helped in the Karen Addition yesterday.

A few updates:

1) We are working on more dumpsters. More to come on that.

2) For those who lost trash cans in the flood, please put out a max five garbage bags (40 lbs). For replacement cans: 402-444-5238.

3) Salvation Army is providing a mobile shower trailer unit (hot showers!) that is running today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. just south of Karen West Elementary and by Karen Park, west of 62nd and H. Follow the Salvation Army for more detail.

We will keep you posted on other developments. Thank you!

10/04/2026

For Karen Addition neighbors seeking help: The city and its partners have coordinated the following for today, from 10-4 p.m.
* Where: Karen Elementary School - drive down H Street, park in the parking lot and see information tables and meals. See the line starting at Paul Davis truck - they are providing cleaning supplies.
* American Red Cross will provide lunch at 11 a.m. until they run out.
* Savlation Army will provide dinner at 5 p.m. until they run out.
* City, Douglas County Health Department, MUD and OPPD are here.
* Karen Elementary will be open from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for children's clothes

10/02/2026

More flood update information:

City of Omaha Coordinates Flood Response and Relief Resources Following Severe Weather Event

OMAHA, NE — Following heavy rainfall across the metro area Wednesday night, the City of Omaha is directing city-wide relief efforts. Resource information is being updated regularly and is available on the Mayor’s website at mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/flood-resources. A list of resources can also be found at the end of this release. Douglas County announcements are attached.

Additionally, the City is focusing specific help in the Karen neighborhood in south-central Omaha which was hit particularly hard. The City, with its partners, has arranged the following:

Omaha police will maintain a presence in and around the Karen neighborhood overnight to help ensure the safety and security of residents and their property.

Barricades are in place to limit access to residents and aid organizations.

Two houses will be marked “danger-closed,” because of significant damage. A large number of other homes have varying degrees of damage but will be allowed to be occupied.

Omaha planning officials will streamline the permitting process and waive flood-related fees for those affected.

Currently 123 homes have lost Metropolitan Utilities District service in the wake of the flood. Residents are advised to shut off any electrical circuits in their home that serve affected appliances until a licensed contractor can review appliances for safety.

Omaha Public Works has marked spots where donated Redbox Dumpsters will go on Saturday.

A staging area for information and other help will be located in the Karen Western Elementary School,parking lot, 6224 H St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. City officials will be on hand then as well as representatives from Paul Davis Restoration, Lowe’s, the Salvation Army, and American Red Cross. Aransco is providing cleaning supplies.

Karen Western Elementary will be open from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for those in need of children’s clothing.

The City thanks residents for their patience and partners for their help.

How to Access Emergency & Human Services

Centralized Information Hub: Please refer to the latest information at mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/flood-resources.

211 Regional Helpline: Operated 24/7/365 by United Way of the Midlands, residents can dial 211, text their ZIP code to 898211, or visit NE211.org to connect with crisis assistance and disaster recovery personnel.

Emergency Shelter: The Mockingbird Hills Community Center (10242 Mockingbird Drive) was activated on October 1 to accommodate flood-impacted residents.

Temporary Housing Assistance: Through a partnership with Airbnb.org, United Way of the Midlands is coordinating free temporary accommodation for families displaced by floodwaters.

Goodfellows Emergency Relief: Administered by United Way of the Midlands in partnership with the Omaha World-Herald, the Goodfellows program provides one-time financial support for immediate, unexpected needs.

Emergency Disaster Kits: The Salvation Army is distributing emergency flood kits from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at two local sites:

North Corps: 24th Street and Pratt Street (Maderson)

Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Building: 10629 Burt Circle

Home Water & Sewage Backup: To report active water or sewage issues inside a residence, contact the Mayor’s Hotline at 402-444-5555.

Waste Disposal and Debris Guidance
Residential Garbage Collection: Residents should utilize their standard city-provided garbage carts. For extra waste capacity, contact FCC Environmental directly to request an additional cart at cost, which will be serviced on your regular collection day.

Yard Waste Disposal: Additional yard waste can be brought to the Oma-Gro facility at 6502 S 60th Street (near 60th and Harrison Streets, at the former Al Veys ballfields). Guidelines are available at wasteline.org/yard-waste-information.

Bulky Item Disposal: Program details and regulations for city-managed bulky item removal can be found at wasteline.org/special-waste-information/bulky-item-disposal.

Neighborhood Fall Cleanups: Annual neighborhood fall cleanups begin this week and will run for several weeks. These sites are designated for routine neighborhood material disposal and are not equipped to accept heavy storm debris. Visit wasteline.org/general-information/fall-cleanup for scheduled dates and locations.

Private Hauling and Disposal Options
Self-Haul Facilities (Fee-Based): Residents who wish to self-haul large quantities of debris may utilize the following private land and transfer sites:

Pheasant Point Landfill: 216th Street, west of Bennington

Green Acres Recycling and Transfer Station: 3701 Dahlman Avenue

Waste Management Transfer Station: Located north of 60th Street and Harrison Street

Contracted Haulers: Residents unable to self-haul may contact private waste collection providers or independent contractors to arrange for debris removal services.

We have created this website for more information on flood resources: https://mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/flood-resources

As resource availability changes, the webpage above will be updated.