Feds approve disaster request for ND blizzard

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Jack Dalrymple said Friday that a federal disaster declaration has been approved to help cover repair costs from a spring blizzard in northwest North Dakota.

He says that a preliminary assessment shows damage of $6.5 million from the April 29 storm, which downed 1,500 utility poles and left an estimated 30,000 customers without electricity.

The disaster declaration covers nine counties and six rural electric cooperatives.

A disaster declaration would provide federal money for counties to repair storm damages and for cooperatives to covers costs of replacing poles and repairing electric transmission systems.

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