Central ND News

President Donald Trump has approved a request from North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong for a presidential major disaster declaration following severe storms that hit the state on June 20-21. The decision enables federal assistance to support repairs to public infrastructure and ongoing recovery efforts.

“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. “North Dakota deeply appreciates President Trump and FEMA for approving our request, just as we can never say thank you enough to our local citizens, volunteers, first responders, utility providers and emergency managers who worked tirelessly to restore services and help their neighbors and communities recover from these severe storms.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notified the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services that the presidential declaration had been granted. Armstrong initially submitted the request on July 21.

The June storms produced more than 20 tornadoes, led to four fatalities, and caused over $11 million in damage to public infrastructure. Utilities, grain bins, homes, and other private property also suffered significant losses. The declaration covers 19 counties: Barnes, Burleigh, Cass, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Grant, Griggs, Kidder, McLean, Morton, Oliver, Ransom, Sheridan, Sioux, Steele, Stutsman, Traill and Wells.

A separate request for another presidential major disaster declaration is pending for storms on August 7-8. These later events brought strong winds and large hail along with multiple tornadoes. Damages from those storms exceeded $6 million—mainly affecting electrical infrastructure—in Barnes, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Steele and Stutsman counties.

Further information about storm recovery efforts—including details about the Grain Storage & Facility Rebuilder Program developed after the June events—can be found at www.ndresponse.gov.