EMERGENCY DECLARATION Mercer County June 8, 2026 WHEREAS, on June 7, 2026, Mercer County, North Dakota, experienced a severe thunderstorm event that produced destructive winds and caused significant damage throughout the county; and

WHEREAS, the storm resulted in widespread impacts, including but not limited to downed power lines, prolonged power outages, fallen trees, debris, damage to county infrastructure, public utilities, public facilities, agricultural losses, and damage to residential, commercial, industrial, and public structures; and

WHEREAS, the storm created hazardous conditions that threatened the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of Mercer County and disrupted essential governmental and utility services; and

WHEREAS, county infrastructure and public property sustained damage requiring emergency protective measures, debris removal, repairs, and restoration efforts; and

WHEREAS, emergency response personnel, utility providers, public works departments, county departments, and volunteer organizations have been engaged in response and recovery operations throughout Mercer County; and

WHEREAS, preliminary damage assessments indicate that the scope and severity of damages to county infrastructure, public facilities, utilities, agricultural operations, businesses, and private property are substantial and may exceed the response and recovery capabilities and resources available to Mercer County and its political subdivisions; and

WHEREAS, North Dakota Century Code Chapter 37-17.1 authorizes political subdivisions to declare a local emergency when disaster conditions exist within their jurisdiction;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Mercer County hereby declares that a LOCAL EMERGENCY exists throughout Mercer County as a result of the severe thunderstorm event occurring on June 7, 2026.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that:

1. Mercer County Sheriff and Emergency Management are authorized to coordinate all necessary emergency response and recovery activities associated with this disaster.

2. All available county personnel, equipment, facilities, and resources shall be utilized as necessary to protect life, property, county infrastructure, public infrastructure, and critical services and to support response and recovery efforts.

3. County officials are authorized to take all actions necessary to respond to the emergency, conduct damage assessments, remove debris, restore essential services, repair damaged infrastructure, and coordinate with local, state, federal, volunteer, and private-sector partners.

4. Mercer County hereby requests assistance from the State of North Dakota and authorizes the pursuit of all available disaster relief programs and resources necessary to respond to and recover from this event.

5. Mercer County further requests that the Governor of North Dakota consider all appropriate state and federal assistance programs and, if warranted by damage assessments, seek a Presidential Disaster Declaration and assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation Assistance, and any other applicable federal disaster recovery programs.

6. Mercer County Emergency Management is directed to continue collecting damage information and coordinating preliminary damage assessments with local jurisdictions, the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, and FEMA representatives as necessary.

7. The County Commission requests that all municipalities, townships, public entities, businesses, agricultural producers, and residents document and report storm-related damages to assist in assessing the overall impact of this disaster.

8. This declaration shall remain in effect until the Mercer County Commission determines that emergency conditions no longer exist and the declaration is formally terminated.

Approved and declared this 8th day of June, 2026.

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Jamee Folk Mercer County Commission Vice-Chair Person

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Terry Ternes Mercer County Sheriff

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Alice Grinsteinner Mercer County Emergency Manager