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D.C. (NewsDakota.com) – Senators Heidi Heitkamp and John Hoeven, as well as Representative Kevin Cramer today pressed President Barack Obama to approve Governor Jack Dalrymple’s request for a disaster declaration for seven counties in southwestern and south central North Dakota that were impacted by a severe winter storm earlier this month.

“The severe storm brought heavy rain and blizzard conditions to the region,” the delegation wrote to the President. “Nearly two feet of snow fell during the storm, causing extensive damage, including the loss of a significant number of cattle. The storm severely impacted the rural electric cooperatives in the region, including damage to substations as well as distribution and power lines.”

“At the height of the storm, more than 9,800 customers were without power. Roads in the region were also impacted due to the rapid snow melt runoff and damage caused by heavy equipment necessary to restore power. According to the Preliminary Damage Assessment the region suffered nearly $8 million in damages, much of which was sustained by the rural electric cooperatives.”