News Releases for July 2007
July 03, 2007
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Hoeven Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For 11 Counties
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today requested President Bush to issue a federal presidential disaster declaration for 11 counties seeking recovery assistance for accumulated damages to public infrastructure from last month’s severe storms and flooding.
Counties included in the Governor’s presidential disaster request include Barnes, Bowman, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, Ransom, Richland, Sargent and Stutsman.
“We are asking President Bush to provide federal assistance in support of significant local and state recovery efforts across large-scale areas impacted by storm and flood damage,” Hoeven said. “Federal resources will serve a vital role in assisting the state to ensure communities needing assistance are able to continue recovery efforts, reduce economic hardship and alleviate threats to public health and safety.”
The Governor’s request follows completion of a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) by federal, state and local officials, which is a prerequisite to the presidential request. Statewide estimates of damage compiled by these teams show losses of nearly $1.6 million to public infrastructure. The PDA indicated that the most severe impacts were to transportation systems. Assessment results indicated personal property damages did not meet federal eligibility factors for individual assistance.
If approved, a federal disaster declaration would also make low interest loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for eligible farmers and ranchers. Businesses and individuals may be eligible for disaster loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The USDA and SBA assistance programs apply to residents of the declared disaster counties and contiguous counties. The Bank of North Dakota also has disaster relief loan programs available for affected farmers and businesses in any North Dakota county.
Storm activity in May set the stage for subsequent disaster-related damages in June when repetitive severe storms moved across the state. “Heavy rainfall and flooding events have repeatedly inundated the state particularly in the 11 counties identified by the disaster request,” said Greg Wilz, director of Homeland Security.
If the President declares the impacted areas a disaster, local governments could receive federal grants to cover 75 percent of the public property damages. State and local governments must absorb the remaining 25 percent. An approved disaster declaration will make the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program available for the specified counties and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program available statewide. More information on FEMA programs can be found at www.fema.gov/help/site.shtm.
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