Gov. Burgum asks for presidential major disaster declaration for October weather

Dec. 13--{{featured_button_text}}

Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday requested President Donald Trump declare a major disaster for North Dakota counties stricken by heavy October rain and snowfall.

Burgum's letter to Trump through the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested the president's declaration for the period of Oct. 9-26 for Barnes, Foster, Griggs, Grand Forks, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, Mountrail, Nelson, Sargent, Sheridan, Stutsman, Traill, Walsh and Wells counties.

A presidential declaration would aid cities, counties and townships with public assistance in paying for repairs to roads and infrastructure damaged by the October storm and subsequent flooding.

Damages could be up to $9.7 million, according to the governor's office.

"Local governments incurred significant costs as a result of the early October rain and snowstorm, and we appreciate the Trump administration considering our request," Burgum said in a statement.

Burgum also asked for FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to be implemented statewide to aid communities in paying for flood mitigation projects "that increase resiliency and reduce costs in the long run."

Members of the state's congressional delegation sent a letter to Trump urging him to grant Burgum's request.

"The historic high groundwater saturation culminating with the rapid snowmelt created unprecedented flooding in central and eastern North Dakota," U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong said in the letter.

Trump and FEMA granted Burgum's request in June for a presidential disaster declaration related to spring flooding in 19 counties in North Dakota.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in November approved the governor's request for a secretarial disaster designation for 47 counties due to the October storm and a record-wet fall.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

Jack Dura

Capitol Reporter

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