North Dakota Declares State of Emergency Following Severe Ice Storm

Governor Doug Burgum seeks federal aid as tens of thousands left without power over Christmas, with 4,000 still affected.

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has declared a state of emergency in response to a severe ice storm that caused power outages for tens of thousands of people over the Christmas holiday.
The storm began on December 25 and continued through the 26th, resulting in layers of ice on roadways and power lines, and disrupting traffic on major interstates.
More than 20,000 residents were without power as of Friday, with 4,000 still affected.
Burgum plans to seek a presidential disaster declaration to secure federal aid for repairing hundreds of utility poles and other infrastructure.
State agencies, in coordination with the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives and utility companies, are working to restore power, and emergency shelters have been opened.