News Releases for September 2007
September 07, 2007
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Hoeven Announces Presidential Disaster Declaration Approval For Cass And Steele Counties
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today said the White House has approved his request for a 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.
"While we're pleased to get public assistance for these two counties and for Northwood, we're still pushing FEMA to provide individual assistance as well to help the citizens of Northwood," Hoeven said.
Damage estimates compiled by assessment teams showed losses of more than $1 million to public infrastructure. The declaration will provide public assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and debris clean-up.
Cass County Electric Cooperative reported 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 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.
The Bank of North Dakota also 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.
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