President Biden Approves Major Disaster Relief for North Dakota

(Bismarck, ND) -- FEMA announced Wednesday that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Dakota to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm, straight-line winds and flooding from June 7-11, 2021.

Federal funding also is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm, straight-line winds and flooding in Burke, Divide, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, LaMoure, Sioux and Williams counties.

"This declaration will provide critical relief to local governments that incurred substantial costs from the damaging June storms," said Governor Doug Burgum. “We appreciate President Biden and FEMA granting our request and making assistance available as our local jurisdictions continue to recover from the impacts of this severe weather event.”

The June 7-11 storms produced tornadoes, up to baseball-size hail, damaging winds of up to 93 miles per hour and torrential rainfall that led to overland flooding, which was exacerbated by dried-out, nearly impermeable topsoil.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

The delegation of Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, along with U.S. Congressman Kelly Armstrong also released a statement on the news, saying “Even while North Dakota faces historic drought conditions, the June storms caused severe damage due to overland flooding, tornados, hail and winds exceeding 90 miles per hour. “We appreciate the president for approving this disaster declaration request, as it will unlock funding to aid in the state’s recovery, as well as funds to mitigate future disasters.”

Lance Davis has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Davis said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.