Gov. Rounds Signs State of Emergency Executive Order for Nine South Dakota Counties
Gov. Rounds Signs State of Emergency Executive Order for Nine South Dakota Counties
PIERRE, S.D. - Gov. Mike Rounds has today declared a state of emergency for the South Dakota counties of Butte, Custer, Fall River, Harding, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Perkins and Shannon.
"County emergency managers in the hard hit areas have assessed their needs and will continue to coordinate with the state Emergency Operations Center to restore power and services," said Gov. Rounds. "We will continue to utilize all available resources to get lives back to normal as quickly as possible."
By signing Executive Order 2006-05, under the provisions of SDCL 33-15, otherwise known as the Emergency Management law, state government can utilize available resources to support county government and public utilities' efforts to restore essential facilities and services.
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Note: Gov. Rounds' Executive Order follows:
State of South Dakota
Office of the Governor
Executive Order 2006-05
WHEREAS, Since April 18, 2006, the state of South Dakota has been impacted by a winter storm, which has brought blizzard conditions, high winds, and substantial snow; and,
WHEREAS, The storm has caused extensive damage to utility infrastructure systems; and,
WHEREAS, These damages have interrupted the normal flow of emergency, school, mail, and farm traffic; and,
WHEREAS, The storm has also caused major damage to the rural electrical systems in Western South Dakota resulting in power outages for many customers lasting more than 48 hours; and,
WHEREAS, The South Dakota National Guard has been placed on State Active Duty to provide personnel and resources to support the response and recovery efforts; and,
WHEREAS, These conditions have resulted in extensive damage to public, private and agricultural property, creating considerable financial and personal hardship to local governments, businesses and residents:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, M. MICHAEL ROUNDS, Governor of the State of South Dakota, under provisions of SDCL 33-15, otherwise known as the Emergency Management law, do hereby declare a state of emergency to exist in the counties of Butte, Custer, Fall River, Harding, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Perkins and Shannon.
IT IS FURTHER DECLARED, Resources available to state government will be utilized under coordination of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Emergency Management, in support of county government and public utilities' efforts to restore essential facilities and services.
Dated in Pierre, South Dakota, this 20th day of April, 2006.
http://www.state.sd.us/governor/