News Releases for July 2006
July 13, 2006
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Hoeven To Review Coleharbor Storm Damage
State Agencies, Local Officials Assisting The Community
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven is traveling to Coleharbor this morning to review damage and lend support following a severe storm with possible tornado activity that hit the community Wednesday night. Hoeven will meet with Coleharbor Mayor Bill Wilson, Emergency Manager Todd Schreiner and other city and county officials to help coordinate a unified response to the disaster.
The Governor and state and local officials will hold a media availability later this morning at Coleharbor City Hall, 122 Main St., at 11 a.m.
The storm downed power lines, leveled buildings, overturned cars, and blew grain bins off their foundations, according to state and local officials. Initial reports are that two individuals received minor injuries in the storm, and as many as 35 homes, and maybe more, in Coleharbor and surrounding communities are destroyed or damaged.
Hoeven said his office is preparing an executive order to declare a storm emergency, and the N.D. Department of Emergency Services is preparing to conduct a state/federal/local Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA). N.D. Department of Emergency Services Director Greg Wilz is briefing the Federal Emergency Management Agency this morning. Individuals should report their damages to the McLean County Emergency Manager’s office at (701) 462-8541 when telephone service is restored. Individuals and families with immediate needs, such as housing, should also contact the Emergency Manager’s office or the local chapter of the American Red Cross at (701) 463-2583. Residents should also contact their insurance agencies to see what damages may be covered.
“An event like this is devastating to a small community like Coleharbor,” Hoeven said. “We are putting our state resources at the disposal of the community to help them recover from this event. At the same time, we would like to thank all surrounding communities for coming to the aid of their neighbors during this difficult time.”
State and local officials were going house to house late Wednesday to check on residents, and the N.D. Department of Transportation was removing debris and mitigating hazards in the aftermath of high winds, hail and rain. The N.D. Highway Patrol was managing traffic to facilitate debris removal on the roads and ensure the safety of the public and emergency responders. Electrical power was out until Thursday to reduce danger from downed wires. The Red Cross was also on the scene Wednesday night to assist residents.
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