Winter Storm Damage Assessments Scheduled

Winter Storm Damage Assessments Scheduled

Gov. John Hoeven today announced a formal Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA), conducted in partnership with local, state and federal officials, will begin next week for counties and Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs) reporting damage resulting from the November 27-30 snow storm.

"We truly appreciate the efforts of those who spent long hours to minimize the severity of impacts resulting from this severe winter storm," Hoeven said. "These damage assessments are a critical step toward recovering losses and continuing repairs to public infrastructure damaged by the storm."

The N.D. Department of Emergency Services, Division of Homeland Security, received notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be participating in the PDA to document damages in Cass, Ransom, Richland and Sargent counties in North Dakota.

"Formal damage assessments provide insight into impacts, not only to those counties directly in the path of the storm, but throughout the state," said Susan Reinertson, Director of the N.D. Division of Homeland Security. "Information collected during these assessments will determine whether North Dakota meets eligibility criteria for federal assistance."

Governor Hoeven issued a snow emergency declaration for southeastern North Dakota because of freezing rains, heavy snow and high winds. The storm conditions impeded snow removal and caused widespread power outages, isolating rural residents and damaging infrastructure.

http://www.governor.state.nd.us/media/news-releases/2005/12/051209.html

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