Following Severe Storm, Tester Urges Biden Administration to Approve Federal Disaster Declaration for Missoula and Powell Counties

In letter to President, Senator asks Administration to swiftly approve major disaster declaration now that the State of Montana has requested it

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today urged the Biden Administration to approve the State of Montana’s major disaster declaration request as a result of the severe storm that hit western Montana last month. In a letter to President Biden, Tester expressed his support for the State of Montana’s request that was made today and asked that the Administration quickly approve it to make federal assistance available to supplement state and local recovery efforts.    

“I support the Governor’s request and urge its immediate approval,” Tester wrote. “Neighborhoods and local business faced severe damages, which continue to impact Montanans’ families and livelihoods. As communities begin to rebuild, it is essential that the federal government work with local leaders to get folks the resources they need to get back on their feet.”

Earlier this month, Tester sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, asking that the Administration quickly approve a federal disaster declaration should the state send the required request.

On July 24, a severe storm hit western Montana. The high winds and heavy rainfall uprooted trees, downed powerlines, and left tens of thousands of Montanans without power for days. The storm also caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure.

You can read the full text of the letter HERE.