US EditionLetter: Gov. Gianforte asks Trump administration for $6.5M following 'historic' windstorm
Gov. Gianforte seeks $6.5 million federal aid for windstorm that caused $13.3 million in damage and impacted 45 counties, schools, and utilities across Montana, officials said.
- On Jan. 15, 2026, Gov. Greg Gianforte asked President Donald J. Trump for a presidential Major Disaster Declaration seeking $6.5 million in federal aid for Montana windstorm damages.
- Beginning late on Dec. 16, 2025, the state experienced a long-duration wind event that caused most damage on Dec. 17 with gusts of 60–90 MPH and over 100 MPH in mountains, plus a blizzard.
- Assessment teams found damage impacting 5 of 7 Tribal Nations, five school districts, and 19 of 25 Rural Electrical Cooperatives, with about $13.3 million in damages across 45 of 56 Montana counties.
- Several counties entered states of emergency, and Montana DEQ is partnering with the U.S. EPA to coordinate cleanup of a historic education facility with asbestos insulation, expected to be extensive and costly.
- Amid recent back-to-back disasters, the $6.5 million windstorm request follows a Jan. 9, 2026 Lincoln County flood request of $9968K, with combined costs of $16300K.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Helena Independent Record
Letter: Gov. Gianforte asks Trump administration for $6.5M following 'historic' windstorm
This request comes roughly a week after Gov. Gianforte asked the federal government for millions in disaster relief for another damaging December weather event.
Daily Montanan
Gianforte asks Trump for disaster relief funds
Construction crews and asbestos abatement companies work around Park City Public Schools in Park City, Montana on Jan. 14, 2026. A Dec. 17, 2025 windstorm ripped the roof off the building, spreading asbestos-contaminated materials around the area. (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).Gov. Greg Gianforte formally requested a presidential major disaster declaration this week for a windstorm late last year. The windstorm impacted most o…
Watauga Democrat
Gianforte requests declaration from Trump to address severe windstorms
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.
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