Wed, Apr 3rd, 2024 - 8:23am
January 30, 2024 - 5:17am | By Ty Schonert
(Bismarck, ND) -- North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has officially requested a major disaster declaration for severe ice storm damage.
The ice storm happened just after Christmas, bringing down trees, power poles, and causing major damage to electrical infrastructure across the state. In a letter to President Joe Biden, Burgum said the storm led to significant ice accumulations across the state, especially in South Eastern North Dakota.
“This was the worst ice storm since 1997 for much of eastern North Dakota, bringing the region to a standstill over the Christmas holiday, causing enormous damage to utility infrastructure and knocking out power to more than 20,000 residents, including some who went without electricity for more than 10 days,” Burgum said. “We appreciate the consideration of this major disaster request and are grateful for the utility crews and linemen from across the region who helped to restore power, as well as for the state and local emergency management teams, road crews, first responders, health care workers and others who worked together to ensure the safety of all North Dakotans during this historic event.”
If the disaster declaration is approved by federal officials, it would allow for FEMA public assistance to help pay for the costs of repairing the damage.
