News Releases for December 2005
December 20, 2005
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Hoeven Requests Second Federal Disaster Declaration For Winter Storms
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today requested President Bush declare a federal disaster for impacts resulting from the snow storm that moved through southeastern North Dakota on November 27-30, 2005, causing power outages, damaging electrical power infrastructure and isolating rural residents and communities. Counties included in the emergency declaration request are Cass, Ransom, Richland and Sargent.
“State, local, and private responders, as well as many volunteers, worked extensively to provide emergency assistance and restore vital services to communities affected by this severe winter weather,” Hoeven said. “Any federal assistance we can obtain will help restore resources that were used in the impacted counties, enabling them to continue to respond to the needs of their communities.”
The request follows Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) conducted in partnership with local, state and federal officials to assess damages to public, private and governmental properties.
“The state continues to work closely with federal, and local officials to document damages sustained during this severe storm,” said Susan Reinertson, N.D. Division of Homeland Security Director. “An initial estimate of damage, compiled by these teams, shows losses of $1.8 million.”
Efforts to reduce life threatening hardships caused by the severe weather included implementing emergency generators to enable communities to continue use of public water, sewer, and limited electrical services during prolonged commercial electrical power outages. Rural residences were also forced to use electrical generators to provide emergency power for home and farm operations.
This represents the third request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration within the state in a one-year period. Hoeven requested and received approval for two declarations earlier in 2005, one for severe summer weather in June and the second for the early snowstorm of October 4-6. Records show the maximum number of requests in a one-year period has been two.
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