Cass County Commission extends emergency declaration indefinitely

Sheriff Jesse Jahner: "I've never seen devastation like that."

FARGO (KVRR) – The Cass County Commission has unanimously voted to indefinitely extend a state of emergency declaration following severe thunderstorms on June 20 that caused widespread damage and led to the deaths of three people in rural Enderlin.

The extension was approved during a special Cass County Commission meeting Thursday in Fargo.

Sheriff Jesse Jahner told commissioners that most electric service has been restored in Page and Hunter and he says power has been fully restored in Erie.

Deputies have been working 12-hour shifts as the recovery continues. Jahner says extra patrols are helping keep an eye on private property and unsecured garages until repairs can be made.

“I’ve never seen devastation like that” Jahner said. “We will continue to be out there and be available for our citizens.”

Commission Chairman Tony Grindberg noted that the emergency response to the storms went well.

“A very-well coordinated effort. I was impressed,” Grindberg said. “Citizens, Canadians, South Dakotans…folks that showed up to volunteer.”