Executive Order 31-00

EXECUTIVE ORDER PROCLAIMING A DISASTER TO EXIST IN DANIELS, RICHLAND, DAWSON, WIBAUX, FALLON, CARTER, SHERIDAN AND ROOSEVELT COUNTIES

WHEREAS, cold temperatures, high winds and snow have combined to create severe winter storm conditions; and

WHEREAS, a severe winter storm occurred in eastern Montana on or about November 1st and 2nd, 2000, and severely damaged electrical power utilities and resulted in electrical power outages that might last two weeks or longer; and

WHEREAS, subsequent storms brought additional snow, freezing temperatures and high winds that may prolong the existing power outages and endanger the lives and property of residents; and

WHEREAS, the immediate restoration of electrical power is essential to ensure the health, safety and welfare of residents of the affected counties; and

WHEREAS, County Commissioners have declared disasters to exist in Sheridan, Roosevelt, Daniels, Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon and Carter counties due to this ongoing weather event; and

WHEREAS, the availability and utilization of all necessary state government services, equipment and supplies including the Montana National Guard under this proclamation will further the efforts to protect health and safety and to preserve the lives, property and resources of the people of the State of Montana; and

WHEREAS, a proclamation of a disaster authorizes the Governor under Section 10-3-104(2)a), MCA, to suspend Section 2-18-501, MCA, to allow reasonable expenditures for food and lodging for activated National Guard and State Disaster and Emergency Services Division personnel responding to this emergency; and

WHEREAS, a proclamation of a disaster authorizes the Governor under Section 10-3-311, MCA, to expend funds from the general fund to meet contingencies and needs arising from these conditions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARC RACICOT, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor under the Constitution of the State of Montana, Title 10, Chapter 3, MCA, and under other applicable statutes, do hereby declare that a disaster exists in Daniels, Richland, Dawson, Wibaux, Fallon, Carter, Sheridan and Roosevelt Counties of the State of Montana.

This Order is effective November 1, 2000.

	GIVEN under my hand and the GREAT SEAL of the State of Montana, this ___ day of __________, 2000. MARC RACICOT, Governor
ATTEST: MIKE COONEY, Secretary of State

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