Burgum’s presidential major disaster declaration request approved by Biden 

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden has approved his request for a presidential major disaster declaration for a severe winter ice storm and straight-line winds that caused more than $11.5 million in estimated damage over the Christmas holiday.

The disaster declaration for the December 25-27 storm was approved for all 13 counties requested, those being Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman and Traill. Burgum declared a statewide emergency on December 29 for infrastructure damage related to the storm.

In a press release announcing the approval Burgum said “We appreciate President Biden and FEMA granting our request and making assistance available to local jurisdictions affected by this historic event, which knocked out power to over 20,000 residents in the worst ice storm since 1997. We’re grateful to the state and local agencies and utility companies that safeguarded our citizens, and to our congressional delegation for supporting this disaster declaration request.”

The presidential disaster declaration unlocks FEMA public assistance to help pay for the costs of repairing damaged infrastructure. 

The federal government also granted Burgum’s request for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to be implemented on a statewide basis to help communities pay for projects that increase resiliency and reduce costs in the long run.