Heavy rain on Wednesday night turned the 11th Street and Cornhusker Highway corridor in Lincoln into a fast‑moving flood zone, forcing at least two nearby businesses to evacuate by boat.
Domino’s manager rescued after water entered restaurant
Fang Yu, manager and part owner of the Domino’s pizza shop at the intersection, was inside filling orders when a delivery driver opened the door and a rush of water surged in. “They said, ‘you guys need to go.’ That’s it,” Yu recalled, adding that she initially tried to stay to finish her work. “I said, ‘I can’t. I need to do my job.’”
Rescue workers soon arrived, assessed the rising water, and escorted Yu and a coworker out of the building by boat, guiding them across the flooded street to safety. “I was a little scared because the waters kept going and fast, and I don’t think I can stand in there,” Yu said.
Neighboring liquor store fights back water
Next door, Jimmy’s Liquor and Tobacco owner Dakhil Meskin described the creek behind the businesses overflowing like a river. Water began spilling through the front door, prompting Meskin and an employee to line the doorway with rags in an attempt to keep the flood out.
By Thursday morning the water level had receded significantly. Both Meskin and Yu reported only a few small puddles remaining inside their establishments, and workers in the area expressed relief that the damage was not worse.
Road damage and community response
The flooding also caused visible damage to the street near Z‑Trip, where a section of the road collapsed into the creek. Local emergency responders and city crews are assessing the damage and working to restore safe passage.
Lincoln residents and business owners praised the swift action of rescue workers, noting that the boat evacuation likely prevented more serious injury or loss of property. The incident underscores the importance of preparedness and rapid response when extreme weather events strike the community.
Looking ahead
City officials have not yet announced any long‑term mitigation plans for the area, but the recent event has prompted discussions about improving drainage and creek management to reduce future flood risk. Business owners are hopeful that lessons learned will lead to stronger infrastructure and better protection for Lincoln’s downtown corridor.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
