BISMARCK, ND – Governor John Hoeven today announced that the president has approved his request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration and has declared a federal disaster for 25 North Dakota counties and one Indian reservation in response to last month’s severe winter weather.

The declaration will provide federal resources and financial assistance to help local and tribal jurisdictions and rural electric cooperatives recover costs associated with the severe weather. The Presidential Disaster Declaration approved today will cover 75 percent of the eligible costs resulting from the storm, with the state covering 10 percent of those costs.

Hoeven requested the declaration on February 17 as a result of a severe winter storm that produced freezing rain, ice, heavy snow accumulations and high winds in excess of 50 miles per hour causing blizzard conditions throughout the state beginning January 20 and ending January 25.

The qualifying counties and tribal jurisdiction include: Adams, Barnes, Billings, Bowman, Burke, Dickey, Dunn, Emmons, Golden Valley, Grant, Hettinger, Logan, McIntosh, McKenzie, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Ransom, Renville, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Steele, and Walsh counties, and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

On January 27, Hoeven requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) begin conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments in the state to document losses and costs that resulted from January’s storm, paving the way for today’s Presidential Disaster Declaration. Preliminary assessments indicated that 25 counties and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation would likely qualify for FEMA assistance based on costs incurred during the storm. Early damage estimates indicated more than $20 million in eligible losses for local and county governments, along with a number of the state’s rural electric cooperatives.

Hoeven issued a statewide winter storm disaster declaration on January 27, based on impacts to North Dakotans who were without heat, electricity, water or telephone service, as well as initial assessments of damages, particularly to the state’s electrical, telephone and communications providers. State, local and tribal agencies worked closely to respond to the severe weather and to ensure the safety of citizens. On the state level, agencies have supported local and tribal operations with personnel, equipment and technical assistance.

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