Presidential Disaster Declaration Approved for Blizzard Area

Press Release

Gov. Mike Rounds announced today that three South Dakota counties will get federal financial assistance to help recover from an early-April snowstorm.

The assistance for damaged public infrastructure is made available through a Presidential Disaster Declaration signed Thursday by President Obama.

"We are very appreciative that our request for federal help was quickly approved," the Governor said. "Storm damage was extensive in Corson, Perkins and Ziebach counties."

The April 2, 2010, blizzard caused an estimated $1.6 million in damage in the three-county area. Heavy snow and strong winds knocked down power lines and poles, cutting off electricity to more than 1,500 rural electric customers. Some were without power for as long as a week.

A Presidential Disaster Declaration authorizes the federal government to provide relief and recovery assistance for up to 75 percent of the eligible damage to public infrastructure in affected areas.

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