Cass County Commissioners declare an emergency for costs from ice storm

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Cass County Commissioners declare an emergency to help cover the costs from the winter storm from December 25-27, 2023.

Last week, Gov. Doug Burgum declared a statewide emergency for widespread utility infrastructure damage caused by the ice storm.

Some communities have already spent thousands of dollars to cleanup trees and branches.

Emergency Manager Jim Prochniak says Cass County Electric’s initial damage costs are anywhere from $1 million to $2 million in the county.

The cooperative is still working to replace hundreds of broken power poles and restore power to hundreds of members.

“Some of the things communities could ask for: generator rental or costs, sheltering costs, tree removal, lift-station repair. If they might have had a water tower freeze-up, generally I hear about that pretty quick. Additional staff hours,” Prochniak told the board.

Communities will have until mid-January to report costs associated with the storm.