North Dakota – Sen. Kevin Cramer said President Donald Trump’s approval of a major disaster declaration would provide “much needed support” as North Dakota communities continue recovering from severe storms that struck the state in June.

“President Trump’s approval of this disaster declaration will provide much needed support as North Dakota communities continue recovering from these severe storms, and we appreciate the president’s action to make these federal resources available,” Cramer said. “This assistance will help repair damaged infrastructure and support recovery efforts across the impacted counties.”

Trump approved North Dakota’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration following severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that affected western and central parts of the state from June 7-9. The declaration makes $3.4 million in disaster costs eligible for federal assistance across seven counties: Bottineau, Burke, Divide, McLean, Mercer, Oliver and Williams.

Cramer joined fellow Sen. John Hoeven and Rep. Julie Fedorchak in supporting Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s request for the declaration. The North Dakota congressional delegation previously sent a letter to Trump urging him to approve the request and make federal resources available to communities dealing with storm damage.

The storms caused widespread damage across North Dakota, including damage to infrastructure, homes and private property. More than 25,000 people lost power during the storms, while trees were knocked down and utility infrastructure was damaged, according to Armstrong’s office, per reports.

The first round of storms on June 7 produced a derecho-like wind event, with straight-line winds estimated at between 80 and 100 mph. Additional severe weather struck June 9, with supercell thunderstorms producing tornadoes, baseball-sized hail and damaging winds.

Armstrong declared a state disaster on June 30 and later submitted the request for a federal major disaster declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Trump personally informed Armstrong that he had approved the request. The governor thanked the president, saying the storms had created significant challenges for communities and utilities and that the federal declaration would help with recovery costs.

KFYR reported that the storms caused an estimated $4.6 million in damage across North Dakota. The station also reported that the severe weather included destructive winds approaching 100 mph, tornadoes and baseball-sized hail.

The federal declaration will make FEMA public assistance available for eligible costs associated with repairing and replacing damaged public infrastructure. That assistance is expected to help local governments and other eligible entities cover part of the costs of recovery.

Cramer, Hoeven and Fedorchak said the federal funding would help repair damaged infrastructure and support recovery efforts in the seven affected counties.

The approval also comes as North Dakota continues dealing with the effects of multiple severe weather events in recent years. Cramer has previously worked with other members of the state’s congressional delegation to seek federal disaster assistance for storm-related damage and infrastructure repairs.

Cramer’s office described Trump’s approval as an important step toward helping communities recover from the June storms, while Armstrong’s office said the federal assistance would help communities and utilities manage the considerable costs associated with rebuilding.

For residents and local governments in the affected counties, the declaration provides access to federal resources as recovery work continues.