The Affected

While more than 450 Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen responded to the historic 2019 floods, a handful of Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen were personally battling the aftermath of the floods at their own homes. One of those affected was Nebraska Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Kelli Hatzenbuehler, who’s Ashland home and acreage was completely submerged and battered with ice chunks due to the widespread flooding in the area.

While disheartened, Hatzenbuehler was no stranger to the destructive power of water – or to helping people. Before moving to Nebraska to serve as an intelligence analyst, she was an engineer with the North Dakota National Guard, where she would build bridges and face the commonality of flooding with the Missouri River.

“We did water rescue, boat rescue and when bridges would go out, we would build indefinite structures so people could cross,” she said. “So yeah, I have done it. But I’ve never been on this side of receiving help before. It’s not that easy being the person that had to ask for help.” 

Here is her story: