A shelter belt is destroyed and littered with debris east of Enderlin, N.D., after tornadoes and strong winds hit the area on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)
President Donald Trump approved federal disaster relief funds for North Dakota Thursday to aid communities damaged by June 20-21 storms that included multiple tornadoes, large hail and straight-line winds.
The presidential disaster declaration opens up federal aid for 19 counties for public infrastructure and recovery efforts. The declaration does not include a dollar amount.
When Gov. Kelly Armstrong made the request on July 21, a preliminary damage assessment exceeded $11.4 million. The total federal aid could end up being higher based on the applications of those seeking to recoup damages, according to the governor’s office.
“This much-needed disaster aid will help our state’s communities and utilities recover from one of the most powerful summer storms in recent history,” Armstrong said in a statement late Thursday.
Counties eligible for assistance under the presidential declaration are Barnes, Burleigh, Cass, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Grant, Griggs, Kidder, McLean, Morton, Oliver, Ransom, Sheridan, Sioux, Steele, Stutsman, Traill and Wells counties.
The approval comes 52 days after Armstrong submitted the request. Earlier this week, state officials commented during an Emergency Commission meeting that the state typically receives a response to disaster aid requests within 30 days.
A separate request for federal disaster relief submitted last week for August storms is still under review. That request covers Barnes, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, Nelson, Steele and Stutsman counties. The storm that included damaging winds, large hail and multiple tornadoes caused an estimated $6 million in damage, mostly to electrical infrastructure.
The state also started a program to help farmers pay for temporary grain storage and repair and replace damaged farm facilities or equipment. For more information on the Grain Storage and Facility Rebuilder Program, visit the program website.
North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com.