Gov. Armstrong seeks federal disaster declaration after storms cause $4.6M in damage across North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Gov. Kelly Armstrong on Tuesday requested a presidential major disaster declaration following a pair of severe storms that caused more than $4.6 million in damage across seven North Dakota counties.

Armstrong submitted the request through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, seeking federal public assistance funding to help cover the cost of repairing and replacing damaged public infrastructure.

The storms struck June 7-9.

The first round, on June 7, produced a derecho-like wind event with straight-line winds estimated between 80 and 100 mph. Two days later, supercell thunderstorms brought tornadoes, baseball-sized hail, and additional damaging winds.

“Just as communities were starting to clean up from the first round of storms on June 7, another round hit two days later, compounding the damage and complicating response and recovery for our citizens,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate the administration considering this request to help cover the cost of significant damage to public infrastructure from this one-two punch.”

The storms knocked out power to more than 25,000 people, toppled trees, and caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and public utilities. Preliminary damage estimates to public facilities, including debris removal, exceed $4.6 million.

Armstrong declared a state disaster on June 30 in response to the storms.

The federal request covers seven counties: Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McLean, Mercer, Oliver, and Williams. A presidential major disaster declaration would make FEMA public assistance available to eligible applicants in those counties.