Poolman says Northwood damage will run into millions

NORTHWOOD, N.D. (AP) Governor Hoeven has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to do a preliminary damage assessment in Northwood, which was devastated by a tornado Sunday night.

He says FEMA teams will be in the town today, and assessments will begin tomorrow. It's the first step toward requesting a presidential disaster declaration.

Insurance adjusters from all over North Dakota and some surrounding states are surveying the tornado damage.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman says the state's Fire and Tornado Fund covers the Northwood school and other public buildings.

Poolman says the damage to the school alone will take more than a (m) million dollars to repair.

And he says the owner of almost every building in Northwood will be turning in an insurance claim of some kind. He says many buildings have heavy damage, and others were completely destroyed.

(SOUND: Sound files have been e-mailed to accompany this story) (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-28-07 0703CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list