Gov. Burgum declares summer storm disaster in central North Dakota

Radar map of June 17 storm approaching Stutsman County. (Screenshot, National Weather Service Bismarck)

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum declared a summer storm disaster for the central part of the state due to severe storms and flooding in the region from June 7 to July 17 in an executive order Wednesday.

In a news release, the governor’s office said the National Weather Service reported 6 to 9 inches of rainfall across central North Dakota during the more than five-week period. Parts of Stutsman County experienced 125% to 150% of normal rainfall, which made it the 15th wettest June since record keeping began in 1895 and the wettest June in the last 10 years.

Damage caused by torrential rains, hail and straight-line winds in the region have caused damage estimated at more than $30 million, the governor’s office said.

The declaration will unlock federal funds through the Federal Highway Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Fund, which can be used by local and state agencies to repair damaged infrastructure, according to Burgum’s office.

The executive order directs state agencies to make recovery programs available, implement recovery actions and future mitigation efforts to limit the impacts of the disaster and restore services and infrastructure.

The disaster declaration will remain in effect until Aug. 31, according to the executive order.