South Dakota seeks federal disaster declaration after severe storms and historic wind damage
Gov. Larry Rhoden has formally asked for a presidential major-disaster declaration to support recovery from severe storms in South Dakota, a request that covers eight counties and two tribal reservations.
The request, submitted July 27, follows events described by the governor’s office as a mini-derecho, a tornado and a historic windstorm. It seeks federal assistance for storm recovery.
The available state announcement does not say that a federal disaster declaration has been approved. The request begins the federal-assistance process rather than establishing that aid has been awarded.
What the state requested
A presidential major-disaster declaration is the specific federal action requested by the state. South Dakota’s request identifies eight counties and two reservations as covered areas.
The state’s announcement does not identify those counties or reservations in the information available for this report. It also does not provide a damage total, a dollar estimate, or dates for the individual storm events.
Those distinctions matter because the state’s July 27 action is a formal request for assistance, not a confirmed federal decision. Residents, governments and tribal communities in the affected areas should not read the announcement as notice that federal aid has already been approved.
Storms cited in the request
The governor’s office cited three types of severe weather in describing the basis for the request: a mini-derecho, a tornado and a historic windstorm. The release characterizes the windstorm as historic, but the available summary does not provide measurements or further detail about the damage.
The request is South Dakota’s formal assessment that the storms warrant a presidential major-disaster declaration and federal recovery assistance. The announcement was issued by state government from Pierre, where the state executive branch is based.
What comes next
The next known step reflected in the available information is the pending federal consideration of the state’s request. As of the information supplied for this report, there is no stated approval decision and no announced deadline for one.
The governor’s request provides the documented basis for South Dakota to seek federal support after the storms. Further details, including the names of the covered counties and reservations and any federal decision, were not included in the available state summary.
Sources
- Gov. Rhoden Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration after Historic Storms, South Dakota Governor’s Office
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