South Dakota's historic summer floods bring request for federal relief
Gov. Noem files for presidential disaster declaration following flooding across 25 counties
The state of South Dakota is turning to the federal government for aid in the aftermath of flood devastation this summer across the southeast region of the state.
Gov. Kristi Noem on Friday issued a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration, seeking financial assistance for 25 counties ravaged by what the National Weather Service says was a 1,000-year flood. The devastation destroyed dozens of homes and caused hundreds of millions in damages to both public and private property in not only South Dakota but also northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota.
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“We have been working with families, local governments and officials, and FEMA for weeks to assess the damage,” Noem said in a statement, referring to the flooding that persisted between June 16 and July 8, submerging homes and businesses, roadways, and - in some cases - entire communities. “I am so proud of what South Dakotans have been able to do to start piecing our communities back together.”
During the flooding, sparked by as much as 18 inches of rain hitting the area in a 72-hour period, dozens of waterways swelled throughout the tristate region. In South Dakota alone, at least 11 river gauges saw water levels hit record highs. The Big Sioux River at Sioux City crested nearly eight feet higher than previous records. New record crests were also set along the West Fork Vermillion River at Parker and Turkey Ridge Creek at Centerville.
Included in the presidential disaster declaration request are Aurora, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jackson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Tripp, Turner, Union, and Yankton.
“This thorough damage assessment was normal protocol for a presidential disaster declaration, and it’s an important part of the process to make sure all eligible counties and citizens are included,” said Kristi Turman, Director of the Division of Emergency Services at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Noem is asking for help from that no good Biden, Harris, and their adminstration?
It's socialism pure and simple--expecting others to pay for needs you cannot meet with money you have not earned. Or is it the pooling of resources and the federal government deploying those resources to meet the general welfare? The purpose of our Federal Government, is found in the Preamble of the Constitution, to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity." I'd argue it's what good people do when others are facing a disaster and need help--a rising tide lifts all boats. Hopefully, it's a philosophy and behavior that doesn't die in the next election.