Gov. Kristi Noem has declared a disaster in counties hit by December’s winter storms.
The declaration includes 16 counties in south-central and northeastern South Dakota, according to a press release. Noem’s office estimates these counties incurred nearly $2.5 million in expenses.
A series of winter storms brought heavy snow along with strong winds and brutally cold temperatures. The conditions stranded some people in their homes for days, and in some cases, weeks.
Several counties in the declaration include tribal lands. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe said the weather led to several deaths.
Noem’s order paves the way for a Presidential Disaster Declaration request.
The counties listed in the declaration include Bennett, Brookings, Clark, Day, Deuel, Hamlin, Jackson, Jones, Kingsbury, Mellette, Oglala Lakota, Potter, Roberts, Stanley, Todd, and Tripp. The order also states that federal resources are needed to help with the impacts of the storm for state, tribal, and local governments.
