News Releases for June 2007
June 20, 2007
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Hoeven Requests FEMA To Conduct Preliminary Disaster Assessments Due To Statewide Severe Summer Storms And Flooding
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to join local and state officials to conduct Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) for 12 counties receiving damages in response to severe summer storms and flooding. FEMA officials will verify damage assessments prepared by state and local officials pursuant to Hoeven’s disaster declaration as part of seeking federal assistance.
“Along with local officials, we are continuing to respond to the problems created by the severe rains and high winds,” Hoeven said. “These storms have impacted our citizens, farmers and communities. We are doing all we can to assist with recovery efforts.”
PDAs will be conducted in the following counties: Barnes, Bowman, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Slope and Stutsman. In addition to public infrastructure losses, assessment data indicates communities were forced to expend unbudgeted funds for protective measures and debris removal.
As a result of impact to counties, cities, rural residents and farmers, Hoeven issued a Flood Disaster Declaration on June 4 for the Red River Valley ordering the activation of the State Emergency Operations Plan. On June 18, Hoeven upgraded the declaration to a Statewide Disaster. The N.D. Department of Transportation (NDDOT) issued an Emergency Declaration on June 5 stating heavy rains and saturated soil conditions have caused state highway flooding requiring temporary road grade raises. Many cities and counties have also issued emergency declarations.
The N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES), the N.D. National Guard (NDNG), the N.D. Highway Patrol (NDHP) and the NDDOT, along with numerous other state agencies, have responded to several heavy rainfall and high wind events across the state, which has experienced a pattern of severe thunderstorm activity. The storms have damaged homes and public infrastructure throughout the state and caused river systems to rapidly rise well above flood stage in the Red River Valley and southeastern North Dakota.
“We will continue to work with local officials across the state to add additional counties to the assessment as needed,” Hoeven said.
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