North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum plans to ask for federal help in dealing with damaging floods and a severe winter storm that left thousands without electricity.
As a precursor to a presidential disaster declaration request, Burgum has issued a statewide emergency in the aftermath of a spring storm last weekend that brought freezing rain that developed into blizzard conditions. Hundreds of power poles were snapped and roads became impassable preventing utility crews from reaching some areas to restore power.
Burgum traveled to Crosby, in far northwestern North Dakota, to meet with residents and ranchers and survey infrastructure damage. He said the state can help the area recover from widespread power outages.
“As is always the case when severe weather strikes North Dakota, we saw incredible examples of neighbors helping neighbors and communities pulling together to overcome unprecedented obstacles,” Burgum said.
Jerry King, general manager of Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative, estimated damage to the co-op’s system at $10 million to $20 million, with more than 1,000 utility poles on the ground and 14 miles of transmission lines damaged.
“We’re in an emergency restoration phase right now, which is about getting lights on to the homes,” said King, who also serves on the Crosby City Council.
In eastern North Dakota, heavy rains and snowmelt caused flooding in fields and inundated rural roads and state highways. The emergency declaration direct states agencies to provide response resources and capabilities and makes North Dakota National Guard resources available if needed to support local and tribal governments.
The governor also has declared a disaster for areas impacted by record snowfall during the historic blizzard April 12-14 based on local costs for snow removal.
Burgum plans to request presidential disaster declarations for both events to unlock federal assistance to help pay for snow removal and infrastructure repairs.
While snow removal costs typically aren’t eligible for presidential disaster declaration assistance, exceptions may be granted for a historic storm if snow removal costs exceed the state’s infrastructure damage threshold for receiving a presidential declaration. In North Dakota, that threshold is approximately $1.3 million statewide.
Topics Windstorm
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