Following Severe Storm, Tester Urges Biden Administration to Approve Federal Disaster Declaration for Missoula a...

In letter to FEMA, Senator asks Administration to approve federal disaster declaration if the State of Montana makes necessary request

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today urged the Biden Administration to support Missoula and Mineral Counties, where a major storm earlier this month caused severe damage to neighborhoods and electrical infrastructure. In a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, Tester asked that the Administration quickly approve a federal disaster declaration should the state send the required request. Doing so would unlock critical funding and make federal assistance available to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

"When disaster strikes, leaders from the local community, state, and federal government must work together to ensure that folks have the resources they need to get back on their feet," Tester wrote. "Montanans have weathered major storms, fires, and disasters before and know the process is clear, all requests for a presidential or federal disaster declaration must first come from the state. In the event the State of Montana chooses to seek federal assistance and request a presidential disaster declaration, I want to ensure you are already aware of this situation and in position to quickly approve it without unnecessary delay."

Earlier this month, a severe storm hit Missoula and Mineral Counties in 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. The State of Montana has not yet sent a request for federal assistance.

You can read the full text of the letter HERE.