Understanding The Federal Assistance For South Dakota's Storm Recovery

South Dakota has received a disaster declaration from President Donald Trump in response to a record-breaking winter windstorm that struck western South Dakota in December.

The declaration makes federal assistance available to support recovery efforts following widespread damage caused by extreme winds.

Governor Larry Rhoden previously requested a presidential disaster declaration for the December 17-18 storm, which produced sustained high winds and gusts exceeding 90 miles per hour in parts of western South Dakota, downing trees and power lines, damaging public infrastructure, and leaving thousands of residents without power for days.

The disaster declaration applies to public property in Custer, Fall River, and Pennington Counties. Preliminary damage assessments confirmed more than $4.6 million in public infrastructure damage across the three counties, exceeding federal thresholds for disaster assistance. Damage included roads, power systems, parks, recreation areas, trails, and public facilities, with Custer County experiencing especially significant per-capita impacts.

The declaration provides public assistance funding for eligible recovery costs and makes Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding available statewide. This FEMA-backed program provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in ways that reduce or mitigate future disaster losses in their communities.

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10 Wild South Dakota Snowstorms

Even though snow is blanketing the Sioux Empire, some snowstorms still do not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlighted ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the road during the winter. South Dakotans are well aware of the fact that the state’s winters can be harsh which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

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LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi