Bismarck, N.D. – For the second time in two months, Governor Kelly Armstrong’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration has been approved, this time in response to severe storms that struck North Dakota in early August, causing significant damage—particularly to electrical infrastructure.
The storms on August 7–8 produced straight-line winds, large hail, and several tornadoes. The declaration, approved Wednesday, covers Barnes, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Steele, and Stutsman counties. Armstrong submitted the request on September 4.
In a statement, Armstrong thanked federal officials and FEMA for aiding the state’s recovery from the summer’s severe weather. He noted that the assistance would help utility providers offset recovery costs and prevent rate increases for North Dakota residents who showed resilience in the aftermath of the storms.
The declaration makes federal public assistance available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which informed the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services of the approval.
In September, Armstrong had previously received approval for a separate major disaster declaration for 19 North Dakota counties affected by June 20–21 storms that produced more than 20 tornadoes, caused four deaths, and inflicted over $11 million in damage to public infrastructure, utilities, homes, and other properties.
