Federal Disaster Aid Available to South Dakota Families, Communities Following Storms

Many families, businesses, tribes and communities in South Dakota have experienced serious destruction of property and infrastructure following a series of late-winter storms. Heavy rain and snow led to flooding that caused widespread damage in nearly all parts of the state.

As governors do when disaster strikes a state, Governor Noem requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government, which opens up federal tools to help folks get back on their feet after a series of bad storms. On June 8, President Trump approved the disaster declaration so federal funds are now available for communities and individuals to begin rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes and businesses that were severely damaged.

Assistance is currently available from three Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs. The Public Assistance Program provides financial assistance to state, local and tribal jurisdictions so they can repair and rebuild damaged facilities, roads, bridges and other infrastructure. The Individual Assistance Program provides funds for household needs. This could include emergency supplies, shelter, food, support for individuals with disabilities and support for household pets and service animals. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program helps communities implement hazard mitigation measures to help reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters.

Assistance has also been requested from the Small Business Administration to make low-interest disaster loans available to those who need them. Additionally, snow removal assistance from FEMA has been requested for certain counties.

Farm and ranch land made up a large part of the state that was impacted by storms. Between wet fields, trade uncertainty, low commodity prices and market instability, our ag producers have had a rough time. I continue working to find long-term solutions to help them recover as quickly as possible. In the meantime, disaster assistance is available to them through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Assistance is available to eligible farmers and ranchers through a number of USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs because of the disaster relief appropriations bill signed by President Trump on June 6. The Emergency Loan Program provides loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to flooding and other disasters. There are programs to extend FSA loans if producers are unable to make their scheduled payments, programs to provide assistance for crop losses when federal crop insurance is not available and programs to help livestock producers suffering from grazing losses due to disasters. Additionally, we await further details on the president’s second ‘trade aid’ package to assist farmers disproportionately impacted by ongoing trade disputes. We continue to work with USDA and have urged them to take steps to assist farmers who filed under the prevent plant program.

Local FSA offices can help with specific questions, or to determine if farmers and ranchers are eligible for assistance. To find your local FSA office location and phone number, as well as for a full list of disaster assistance available, please visit my website, www.rounds.senate.gov. We’ve included all the FEMA and USDA programs on one simple webpage so South Dakotans can easily access all the information they may need as they seek to rebuild their lives and businesses. And as always, my team and I are here to help with any questions you may have.  

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