President Trump has approved South Dakota’s request for a third Presidential Disaster Declaration this year.
This one covers the damage done by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from June 30-July 21.
The declaration will allow federal money to be used to help local government entities recover from infrastructure damage in Butte, Gregory, Kingsbury, Lawrence, Meade and Tripp counties, as well as the Cheyenne River and the Lower Brule Indian Reservations. A preliminary assessment of the damage was estimated to be $2.5 million.
South Dakota received a federal disaster declaration in June for severe winter storms and flooding that occurred March 13-April 26 affecting 58 counties and three reservations. A second disaster declaration for flooding and storms that occurred in 25 counties and two reservations May 26-June 7 was approved in September.
In her request for a disaster declaration, Gov. Kristi Noem told the President many areas had experienced record rainfall, which resulted in flooding of roads and other infrastructure, while confirmed tornadoes and high winds caused property damage in other areas. Noem said two of the state’s major industries, agriculture and tourism, have been impacted.
FEMA officials are now in South Dakota working on the first two federal disaster declarations and will continue to work on the third. More details on the process for the third disaster declaration will be announced at a later date.
