BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today thanked President Donald Trump for approving the governor’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration for severe storms June 7-9 that caused millions of dollars in damage in North Dakota.
“We appreciate President Trump recognizing the challenges these two rounds of severe storms created as they knocked out power to more than 25,000 people, toppled trees and caused significant damage to utility infrastructure, homes and other private property,” Armstrong said after President Trump called to inform him that $3.4 million in disaster costs had been approved. “This presidential declaration will help our communities and utilities with their considerable recovery costs.”
On June 7, the first storms produced a derecho-like wind event with straight-line winds estimated between 80 and 100 mph, followed on June 9 by storms that included supercell thunderstorms that produced tornadoes, baseball size hail and damaging winds. Armstrong declared a state disaster June 30 in response to the storms.
The request was made through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A presidential declaration makes FEMA public assistance available to help cover the costs of fixing and replacing damaged infrastructure.