Letter to Hon. Joseph Biden, President - ND delegation: President Approves Disaster Declaration Covering Summer Storms in North Dakota

Letter

Dear President Biden:
We write in support of the State of North Dakota's request for a presidential disaster declaration due to a severe summer weather pattern that resulted in a series of storms in early June. At the same time that the State of North Dakota continues to experience catastrophic drought conditions, the June
storms were so severe that they caused overland flooding and produced damaging winds and hail. We appreciate your consideration of the State's request for assistance. From June 7, 2021, through June 11, 2021, North Dakota was hit with a severe weather pattern that produced tornadoes throughout the state, included large hail, brought damaging winds of over 90 miles per hour, and created torrential rainfall leading to substantial flooding. As the result of this significant flooding, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum took steps to activate the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan and declare a statewide emergency. The State continues to recover from the June storms and is therefore requesting a presidential major disaster declaration for eight counties in the State, including Burke, Divide, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, LaMoure, Sioux, and Williams. North Dakota continues to grapple with disasters throughout the state. Within the past three years, North Dakota has been designated a Presidential disaster area six times. These six instances have been a result of severe
weather and flooding as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, totaling over $150 million in costs. The June flooding was exacerbated by the dry and impermeable topsoil that has already been present from the recent drought and wildland fires. In fact, the recent drought has been North Dakota's worst on record in over twenty years. Flooding caused basements of homes and businesses to flood and culverts to be washed away, resulting in gravel washes and damaged roads and bridges. In addition to the significant flooding throughout the State, homes and businesses were further damaged by hail that destroyed windows and building exteriors. The strong winds accompanying the significant rain snapped power lines, leaving many without power. We urge you to approve a presidential disaster declaration as soon as possible so that the necessary federal resources are available to assist our state. Additionally, we urge you to designate North Dakota as a Public Assistance Managing State so that the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program be implemented on a statewide basis. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request, and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide
any additional information.