News Releases for July 2008
July 9, 2008
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Hoeven Announces Availability Of USDA Housing Assistance For Rolette County Tornado Victims
Counseling Services Available in Rolla and Belcourt for Impacted Residents
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development will help secure temporary single bedroom apartments for individuals and families impacted by an F2 and F3 tornado that touched down Monday in Rolette County. Funding to help defray the cost of rent is available from USDA Rural Development.
USDA Rural Development will have staff at the Turtle Mountain Tribal Highway Garage in Belcourt and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rolla to coordinate housing assistance beginning at 10:30 a.m Thursday. USDA has waived age and income criteria; applications will be based on need as determined by local authorities. A number of displaced residents are staying with friends or relatives, and the Red Cross is providing short-term motel lodging for those who need it.
Hoeven also sent a state Department of Emergency Services liaison to Rolette County to assist local officials and help coordinate state, tribal and federal resources. The Governor Monday authorized state resources to assist the communities, including Highway Patrol, N.D. Department of Transportation, the state Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services.
The North Dakota Department of Human Services will be providing counseling and other disaster mental health services to residents of Rolette County. Lake Region Human Service Center’s Rolla Outreach Office is located at 113 Main Avenue. Walk-ins are welcome. People can also call 701-477-8272 to schedule an appointment. The human service center also has a 24-Hour Crisis Line at 701-662-5050. Collect calls are accepted. During regular business hours, the Lake Region Human Service Center in Devils Lake can be contacted at 1-888-607-8610 or TTY 701-665-2211.
Counseling will also be available in Belcourt at the Indian Health Services hospital. Individuals can call 701-477-8658 or 701-477-8659, or after hours, call the emergency room at 701-477-8450 or 8460.
“Now that the initial impact of the storm is over, our work isn’t done,” Hoeven said. “We need to focus our efforts on helping people work through the difficult first days and secure adequate housing as they rebuild.”
Initial estimates by local officials in Belcourt indicate that approximately 28 structures were damaged, including six that were destroyed. About 18 structures were damaged and 12 were destroyed in Rolla, according to local officials. A complete damage assessment is still underway, including assessment of damage to rural properties. About a three block area in the northeast portion of Rolla was impacted.
Hoeven was in Rolla and Belcourt Tuesday to review the storm damage and meet with residents. He met with Rolette County, City of Rolla and Turtle Mountain Tribal officials, including Rolla City Council President Ryan Mitchell, acting emergency manager and County Commissioner Eldon Moors, Rolla Police Chief Tom Allard, and Turtle Mountain Tribal Band of Chippewa Chairman David “Doc” Brien.
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