News

With extremely wet conditions, localized flooding and an early snowstorm impacting farmers, ranchers and many other individuals and communities across North Dakota, Gov. Doug Burgum and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring continue to work to offer the state’s full support, pursue all federal assistance options and encourage friends and neighbors to reach out to each other.

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum today stressed to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue the seriousness of North Dakota’s record fall precipitation and flooding, its devastating impact on farmers and ranchers and the likely need for federal assistance.

Gov. Doug Burgum this morning signed an executive order declaring a statewide flood emergency, paving the way for requests for federal assistance to help North Dakotans deal with significant flooding impacts caused by heavy fall rains and a historic October blizzard.

Gov. Doug Burgum, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and other state officials will meet with local officials and community members on Monday, Oct. 21, in Fargo, Grand Forks and Jamestown and hold a townhall meeting in Fessenden to hear about the impacts of North Dakota’s unusually wet fall and last weekend’s record-breaking early snowstorm and to discuss the state’s response efforts.

Gov. Doug Burgum directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Oct. 18, and encouraged North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, as a sign of respect for the memory and longstanding public service of U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, who passed away Oct. 17 at age 68.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the 12 members of the newly established Children’s Cabinet, which will study and coordinate care for children across the three branches of state government and the tribal nations.

North Dakota’s State Emergency Operations Plan has been activated and state agencies are closely monitoring this winter storm in case local response capabilities become overwhelmed, Gov. Doug Burgum said.

The extensive wet pattern in North Dakota, topped with an early snowstorm, is creating a great deal of anxiety for farmers and ranchers. The state is exploring all possible means of assistance and encouraging those in emotional distress to reach out for help, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Gov. Doug Burgum said  in a joint statement.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler in announcing that the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project has been invited to apply for a $561 million EPA loan – clearing a major hurdle for a crucial piece of financing for the flood control project. Burgum and Wheeler also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) renewing the commitment to collaboration between the EPA and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC), which Burgum chairs.

Gov. Doug Burgum joined President Donald Trump, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Japanese Ambassador Shinsuke Sugiyama, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and others for the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement at the White House.