President Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for South Dakota following the record-breaking windstorm that hit the region in December. Wind speeds topped 90 miles per hour, causing widespread damage across the Black Hills.
The declaration comes after Governor Larry Rhoden requested federal assistance in December. It will make recovery funds available to help repair damaged public infrastructure in Custer, Fall River, and Pennington counties. Preliminary assessments found more than $4.6 million in damage to roads, power systems, parks, and other public property.
Governor Rhoden said federal support will be “a huge help” for local governments working to return to normal. He described the destruction as extensive, saying some areas may never be fully cleaned up.
In addition to recovery funding, the declaration also opens the door for mitigation grants statewide, aimed at strengthening infrastructure to better withstand future extreme weather events.
