PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – Gov. Mike Rounds has requested a presidential disaster declaration to help 12 South Dakota counties recover from severe storms and widespread flooding in late July. Damage to public infrastructure in those counties is estimated at more than $4 million. If the disaster declaration is approved, the federal government would cover up to 75%. The request is for public assistance for the counties of Beadle, Brule, Hand, Jerauld, Miner and Sanborn. South Dakota has received five presidential disaster declarations since last Christmas for blizzards, ice storms, flooding and tornadoes. This federal money could be used to help reconstruct the Rosehill Recreation Area, that was destroyed when heavy rain on July 29th washed out an earthen dam.
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