BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Gov. Doug Burgum requested a presidential disaster declaration Monday for a severe summer storm that caused flash flooding in several North Dakota counties and resulted in more than $5 million in damage to roads and other infrastructure.
In a letter to President Donald Trump through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Burgum requested that a major disaster be declared for six counties: Benson, Grand Forks, McKenzie, Mountrail, Nelson and Wells.
The June 29-July 1 storm packed high winds, hail and 4 to 8 inches of rain in some areas. Burgum noted that many of the counties were also pummeled by previous storms that produced catastrophic flooding during the last two years.
If granted, a presidential declaration would unlock FEMA aid to help cities, counties and townships pay for the costs of repairing roads and other infrastructure. Preliminary assessments indicate damage to local infrastructure exceeded $2.25 million, and damage to federally aided highways totaled nearly $2.9 million.
Over the past two years, the governor’s office said, North Dakota has received five federal disaster declarations - three of which were for flooding. The state also has received two declarations for the coronavirus pandemic.
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