News Releases for July 2002
July 19, 2002
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Hoeven Requests Preliminary Flood Damage Assessment
Flood Emergency Proclamation 
(144kb pdf)
Flood Emergency Executive Order (142kb pdf)
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today issued a flood disaster proclamation and asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist state, local and tribal officials in conducting a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) for Public Assistance in five counties and one Indian reservation.
This request is the result of initial damage assessments from recent rains and flooding along the Red River, Devils Lake Basin and central portions of North Dakota. The PDA for Public Assistance is the first step to document the impact and magnitude of the damages on government infrastructure.
"It looks like we may have two million dollars in damages to rural roads, streets, bridges and water drainage systems and it's very important that we complete an accurate assessment to determine if there is a potential for federal help," Hoeven said.
Due to river levels cresting within the next several days and water levels still inundating roads, full damage cannot be assessed until waters recede. The North Dakota Division of Emergency Management expects PDA assessments to begin the week of August 5, 2002.
"High water in some areas of the state continues to cause problems - especially with roads. Some roads are flooding, while others are weakening to the point that they are impassable," said Doug Friez, director of the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management. "The PDA is a formal assessment of damages by federal, state, local and tribal officials to determine possible eligibility for federal assistance from the President's disaster fund to help with costs for permanent and emergency repairs to restore public infrastructure."
Counties and tribal lands included in the assessment are Grand Forks, Pembina, Traill, Walsh, Stutsman and the Three Affiliated Tribes.
Upon completion of the PDA in the affected counties, teams will forward the information they have collected to the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management for review and evaluation to determine the potential for a federal disaster declaration request for Public Assistance.
FEMA's Public Assistance program can provide assistance to state, local and tribal governments for damage to public structures and facilities. Assistance can include reimbursement for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and costs to repair or replace roads, bridges and other public facilities damaged by recent storms and flooding.
Based on the types of individual impacts reported, there are currently no federal/state individual assistance programs authorized at this time, nor does it appear that the damages reported will qualify for federal assistance, with the exception of the U.S. Department of Agriculture credit programs that may become available after production losses can be determined.
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