News Releases for August 2007
August 13, 2007
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For Cass And Steele Counties
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today requested President Bush to issue a federal presidential disaster declaration for Cass and Steele Counties seeking recovery assistance for accumulated damages to public infrastructure from severe summer storms that occurred on July 15, 2007.
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. Damage estimates compiled by assessment teams show losses of more than $1 million to public infrastructure. The PDA indicated that the most severe impacts were to electrical power transmission systems.
"We are asking President Bush to provide federal assistance in support of significant local and state recovery efforts across a widespread area," Hoeven said. "Federal resources will serve a vital role in assisting the state to continue recovery efforts and reduce economic hardship."
Cass County Electric Cooperative reported scattered power outages from Hope to Sheldon during and after the storms had passed, with line crews tracing a 54-mile long, 12-mile wide path of damage through their service area. The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) reported that a total of 36 towers supplying electricity between Jamestown and Fargo were knocked down and Minnkota Power Cooperative reported a total of 49 power transmission towers and power poles down.
The National Weather Service (NWS) determined that five distinct tornado tracks were embedded in the storms, with downburst wind damage in a nearly continuous path from five to seven miles wide indicating winds often exceeded 80 miles per hour (mph) and may have reached over 100 mph in some locations. Hail ranging in size from one-half inch to two inches in diameter accompanied the high winds causing a 70-mile long path of destruction from the town of Hope in Steele County, continuing south through the town of McLeod in Ransom County.
The Bank of North Dakota has disaster relief loan programs available for affected farmers and businesses in any North Dakota county. More information on Bank of North Dakota lending services can be found on their website, www.banknd.nd.gov/bndhome.jsp.
E-mail comments to the Governor
