Bismarck  (Gov. Burgum’s Office)  – Gov. Doug Burgum has declared a winter storm emergency for a severe winter storm March 13-15 that impacted much of North Dakota. The governor also has granted the first group of waivers for school districts that canceled classes because of severe winter weather.

In an executive order signed Tuesday, Burgum declared a winter storm emergency for the counties of Foster, Grant, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, McLean, Nelson, Steele, Towner, and Wells, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Counties statewide reported more than $1 million spent on snow removal for the storm, according to the results of a survey conducted by the state Department of Emergency Services and reported to the Governor’s Office on Sunday.