05.20.11

Delegation Applauds Approval of Presidential Disaster Declaration for North Dakota

Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today applauded the decision by President Barack Obama to approve a disaster declaration for the State of North Dakota.   The declaration allows Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas of the state struck by a severe winter storm last month.   

"This is welcome news for North Dakota.  We have been pushing to have this declaration fast-tracked and are pleased that Federal assistance will now be available to help communities and the rural electric cooperatives cover the costs of storm damages and utility repair," the delegation said in a joint statement. 

Earlier this week, the Congressional delegation wrote to the President urging him to support the State of North Dakota's request for a major disaster declaration.  

Federal funding is now available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the counties of Bottineau, Burke, Divide, Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail, Renville, Ward, and Williams.

On April 29, a storm carrying freezing rain with snow and wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour struck the region.  The storm stranded motorists, uprooted trees, downed utility poles and cut power to an estimated 30,000 people. This storm has placed great strain on the ability of the state and local governments to respond and recover.