South Dakota secures Presidential Disaster Declaration funds after historic floods
South Dakota secures Presidential Disaster Declaration funds after historic floods
Feds approve request in response to record weather events earlier this summer
The feds have signed off on state leadership’s request for extra money and resources in responding to historic floods in June and July.
Gov. Kristi Noem announced Thursday evening that the state has received approval for a presidential disaster declaration, after the unprecedented flooding event that impacted the southeastern part of the state over a period of a few weeks.
The devastation destroyed several homes and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to both public and private property in South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and southwest Minnesota.
The declaration will bring federal aid to 25 counties, with four counties qualifying for individual assistance for residents and business owners.
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"South Dakota has worked tremendously hard to get to this point and will continue working to rebuild our communities. I am so proud of our people," Noem said. "This event was unprecedented, but our response was exactly what South Dakota always does. We work together to get our neighbors back on their feet." Noem made the request for the declaration in late July.
Residents and business owners in Davison, Lincoln, Turner, and Union counties are eligible for individual assistance. Those affected are urged to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to register for aid. Assistance can be accessed online at their website, or by calling FEMA.
Disaster recovery centers - temporary offices set up after a disaster to provide support to impacted - will be set up in the region at times and dates that are to be determined. However, visiting a center is not required to be eligible for or receive the federal assistance, according to the governor’s office.
Federal money will also support state, tribal, and eligible local governments, as well as certain private non-profit organizations, on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding. The cost-sharing structure for local communities will include 75 percent federal, 15 percent state, and 10 percent local contributions.
The 25 counties receiving federal disaster assistance are; Aurora, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jackson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Tripp, Turner, Union, and Yankton. Local entities will be required to work with state and FEMA officials to secure the support.
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