HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte asked President Donald Trump to issue a presidential Major Disaster Declaration following December’s severe windstorms, which caused damage and disruption in nearly every county in Montana.
In his letter to Trump, which he sent on Jan. 15, Gianforte said the windstorm caused about $13.3 million in damages, making it the most damaging windstorm in 30 years.
The storm saw gusts between 60 and 90 miles per hour that reached up to over 100 miles per hour. Fallen trees crushed vehicles, damaged buildings, blocked roads and caused power outages.
The windstorm, which caused most of its damage on Dec. 17, quickly prompted several counties to enter states of emergency, as well as a disaster declaration from Gianforte.
“The safe cleanup of this damage is anticipated to be extensive, long-term, and costly. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate cleanup and mitigation efforts for this location and restore use of a historic education facility for students and faculty,” Gianforte said in his announcement about his request to Trump.
Gianforte specifically mentioned wind-related damage to schools in Montana.
About a month before Gianforte’s recent request to the president, Trump approved a separate request from Gianforte for a presidential major emergency declaration addressing significant flooding in northwest Montana.
Trump’s approval was accompanied by official assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provided emergency protective measures at with 75% federal funding.
