Governor Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration Following Windstorm

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Governor Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration Following Windstorm

PIERRE, S.D. - Today, Governor Larry Rhoden has formally requested a presidential major disaster declaration for South Dakota in response to a historic, record-breaking winter windstorm that caused widespread damage across Custer, Fall River, and Pennington counties on December 17 and 18, 2025.

"Our communities faced extraordinary conditions during this storm with severe impacts, especially in rural and frontier areas," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "This support will help local communities, reduce the financial burden on electric ratepayers, and ensure essential services can be restored and strengthened for the future."

The storm produced sustained high winds and extreme gusts exceeding 90 mph in parts of western South Dakota, downing trees and power lines, damaging public infrastructure, and leaving thousands of residents without power for days. The Black Hills region was particularly impacted. Difficult terrain and extensive forest damage significantly delayed power restoration efforts and access for emergency responders.

Governor Rhoden previouslysigned an emergency declaration on January 7, 2026, which started the disaster process by requesting technical assistance for a preliminary damage assessment by FEMA. Those preliminary damage assessments conducted from January 20 to 22 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 particularly devastating per-capita impacts.

If approved, the Presidential declaration would provide Public Assistance funding for Custer, Fall River, and Pennington counties for repairs at a cost share of 75% federal, 10% state, and 15% local. In addition, it would make Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding available in the future.

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