WASHINGTON – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of South Dakota to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding from June 28 – July 3, 2026.

The declaration makes federal assistance available to support recovery efforts following widespread damage caused by the storm system.

The disaster declaration applies to public property in Beadle, Bennett, Buffalo, Day, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, and Stanley Counties, along with the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Reservations. Damage included roads, power systems, parks, recreation areas, and public facilities, with Hyde and Beadle Counties experiencing particularly devastating impacts.

Preliminary damage assessments conducted confirmed more than $4.5 million in public infrastructure damage across the eight counties and two reservations, exceeding federal thresholds for disaster assistance.

The presidential declaration provides Public Assistance funding for eligible repairs at a 75% federal cost share (which equates to the approved $3.4 million), with the remaining 25% covered by state and local funds. This will help support ongoing recovery efforts.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in Beadle, Bennett, Buffalo, Day, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Stanley counties and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.

Kenneth C. Williams III has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.