Hoeven Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For Spring Storm

Press Release

Governor John Hoeven today requested that President Barack Obama declare a federal disaster for North Dakota counties to help municipalities, tribal jurisdiction and rural electric cooperatives recover costs associated with severe weather over the Easter weekend.

"The aftermath of this spring storm continues to pose challenges for some rural electric customers, and we're doing all we can to help with resources and other necessary support," Hoeven said. "At the same time, we want to express our appreciation to the linemen and others who are working long hours through often difficult circumstance to restore power as soon as possible."

The request is a result of a severe spring storm that produced freezing rain, ice, heavy wet snow accumulations causing electrical power outages, and extensive damages to infrastructure throughout North Dakota beginning on April 1, 2010 and ending April 3, 2010. Hoeven requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) begin conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) in the state last weekend to document losses and costs to publically owned infrastructure, paving the way for a presidential disaster declaration.

Preliminary assessments have indicated that 12 counties and the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation will qualify for FEMA assistance based on costs incurred during the storm. Impacted jurisdictions include: Adams, Benson, Burleigh, Grant, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan, Sioux and Wells counties and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Damage estimates concluded late Saturday indicate more than $33 million in eligible losses for publically owned infrastructure with a large majority of the damage incurred by the state's rural electric cooperatives (REC).

Hoeven issued a snow emergency order on April 2, which activated state resources to assist local communities and the RECs respond to the storm damage. He also issued waivers for hours-of-service and weight restrictions for trucks to help get supplies to electrical utility repair crews.

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 including the Department of Emergency Services, National Guard, Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation and others have supported local and tribal operations with personnel, equipment and technical assistance.

If approved, the Presidential Disaster Declaration will cover 75 percent of the eligible costs resulting from the storm, with the state covering 10 percent of those costs.

Source