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Lincoln airport works on flood plan

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June 17th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Airport officials in Lincoln, NE are working on a contingency plan just in case the airport in Omaha is flooded by the Missouri River. Lincoln Airport Executive Director John Wood said Thursday, that the airport is working on a worst-case scenario in case Eppley Airfield in Omaha has to close. Wood says if that happens, flights will likely be diverted to Lincoln and Des Moines. Omaha Airport Authority Director Steve Coufal says the airport is not considering closing.

Eppley is surrounded on three sides by the Missouri River and is protected by levees tall enough to withstand a flood stage of up to 42 feet. The river is expected to crest in Omaha at 36 feet and stay above flood stage for months.