File photo of snow plow in the ditch due to icy road conditions in Barnes County

BISMARCK, N.D. (PPR) – The North Dakota Emergency Commission has approved a $3.4 million loan from the Bank of North Dakota, to cover the state’s share of recovering from severe damage caused by the Christmas ice storm.

The state will receive $21.8 million in federal disaster funds. In addition, local governments in the affected 13 counties will have to contribute $3.9 million. It brings the total cost of the damage to $29.2 million.

North Dakota National Guard Adjutant General Alan Dohrmann told the Commission around 2500 power poles were damaged in the storm.

The disaster declaration was approved for: Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Grant, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman and Traill.

The loan will be paid back through a deficiency appropriation in the upcoming Legislative session.