Daugaard Seeks Disaster Declaration For June 21st Storms

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – Gov. Dennis Daugaard is requesting federal assistance to help seven South Dakota counties recover from severe weather last month.  Daugaard submitted the letter to President Barack Obama on Tuesday asking for a Presidential Disaster Declaration.  Preliminary assessments show that the series of storms from June 19 through 29 caused damage to public property estimated at more than $1.7 million.  The damage occurred in Beadle, Codington, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Hughes and Kingsbury counties.  Daugaard said the slow-moving storm system produced four tornadoes, 90-mph, hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall that washed out roads and culverts and caused rivers to rise above flood stage in several places. The storm also did damage at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, displaced residents of an apartment building, took down numerous trees and damaged power lines  If the request is approved, up to 75 percent of eligible costs could be reimbursed by the federal government.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency participated in the preliminary damage assessments last week.