Armstrong Seeks Federal Declaration For Grand Forks County

(Photo courtesy of National Weather Service via the North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong made his second presidential disaster request of the summer.

Armstrong sent a letter to President Donald Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting federal help in recovering from storms that damaged buildings and other infrastructure Aug. 7-8.

The storms with tornadoes, winds up to 100 mph and large hail knocked out power to 16,000 residents in south-central and eastern North Dakota, Armstrong’s letter said.  Electrical infrastructure damage is estimated at $5.5 million.

Armstrong asked Trump to declare a major disaster for Barnes, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Steele and Stutsman counties. The letter says the hardest hit area was Stutsman County, including the cities of Jamestown and Courtenay.