North Dakota’s presidential disaster declaration request from June’s severe storms and tornados has been approved.
The N.D. Department of Emergency Services learned Sept. 11 President Donald Trump approved Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s request, unlocking critical federal assistance to help cover the costs of repairs to public infrastructure and recovery assistance.
“This much-needed disaster aid will help our state’s communities and utilities recover from one of the most powerful summer storms in recent history,” Armstrong said.
The June 20-21 storms spawned more than 20 tornadoes, resulting in four storm-related deaths and causing more than $11 million in damage to public infrastructure and significant damage to utilities, grain bins, homes and other private property in 19 counties, the governor’s office states.
The presidential declaration makes public assistance available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which electric cooperatives have deemed critical for rural communities.
Without those funds, rebuilding would take much longer and raise rates for rural electric cooperative members, says Josh Kramer, North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) executive vice president and general manager.
According to NDAREC, North Dakota electric cooperatives have received more than $110 million in public assistance for approximately 50 natural disasters since 2000.
