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Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 14, 2007
CONTACT: Mitch Krebs, (605) 773-3212 or Brooke Bohnenkamp, Public Information Officer, (605) 773-3178
Gov. Rounds Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds is requesting a presidential disaster declaration for Individual Assistance in the twelve counties hardest hit by the May 4-5 storm and subsequent flooding. A separate presidential disaster declaration may also be requested for Public Assistance after a separate analysis is completed by FEMA representatives.
The request is part of the process for receiving federal disaster funds. If the President agrees to the declaration, several disaster assistance programs will be made available. Those programs include Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for basic needs and emergency assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
“We’re hopeful we’ll receive the declaration. If we do, that would certainly help a lot of folks get back on their feet. However, any assistance provided by the federal government is not designed to make people whole again,” said Gov. Rounds.
“It’s important for people to continue to put their lives back together and to document the repairs by keeping receipts and taking photos. We’re working to get the victims of the storm as much help as possible,” added the governor.
“We’ve also forwarded a copy of our declaration request to our congressional delegation who are fully supporting us in this process,” said Gov. Rounds.
The counties included in the declaration request are Aurora, Beadle, Brown, Clark, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jerauld, Miner, Sanborn, Spink and Yankton.
There is no timeline as to when a decision on the declaration request will be made. Should South Dakota receive a presidential declaration, the public will learn immediately of the declaration through the media and local officials.
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Gov. Rounds’ letter to President Bush attached:
May 14, 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, DC 20034
Through:
Robert Flowers
Regional Director
FEMA Region VIII
Denver Federal Center
P.O. Box 25267
Denver, CO 80225-0267
Dear Mr. President:
The state of South Dakota experienced a tornado and severe weather outbreak with record setting rainfall in a 24-hour period on May 4 through May 5, 2007, which resulted in widespread damage to homes by tornados and widespread flooding to homes, businesses, and farmland. Tornados and flooding has resulted in houses being destroyed with basement walls collapsing and critical utilities to be non-functional until repaired due to high levels of flooding. Homeowners are now struggling with the recovery process. These individuals have not only incurred physical losses, but are emotionally drained by the devastation that has occurred in their lives. Farmers have thousands of acres flooded and cannot be planted which has a financial impact not only on their farming operation, but the businesses that are dependant upon the farming community for their livelihood.
On May 9, 2007, I requested from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a joint federal, state, and local preliminary damage assessment of the impacted areas. This Individual Assistance assessment was conducted on
May 11, 2007, through May 14, 2007. The assessment confirmed severe impacts to individual homes in the 12-county area.
Significant manpower and equipment available on the state, county, and local levels have been dedicated to recovering from the severe spring storm event. South Dakota National Guard was activated to sandbag critical infrastructure to limit the damage caused by flooding. The South Dakota Department of Transportation monitored flooded roads to protect drivers on the road Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South systems. I have further determined that this severe spring storm event is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments, and supplemental federal assistance is necessary.
Mr. President, I respectfully request that you declare a major disaster for the state of South Dakota under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. subsection 5121-5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR subsection 206.36. On May 7, 2007, I issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in eastern South Dakota and directed execution of the State Emergency Plan in accordance with Section 401 of the Stafford Act. I am specifically requesting Individual Assistance programs including the individuals and households program, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services. I am also requesting that Small Business Administration disaster loans be made available. The following is a list of counties for which I am requesting assistance: Aurora, Beadle, Brown, Clark, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jerauld, Miner, Sanborn, Spink, and Yankton.
I am also requesting the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide. South Dakota has experienced much success in the past with mitigation projects. This incident presents us with another opportunity to mitigate future damages. The state is committed to mitigation projects in order to lessen the impacts of future disasters. This is evidenced by our approved standard Statewide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan which prioritizes mitigation projects. The standard Statewide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved on March 2, 2005.
On May 11, 2007, I also requested a preliminary damage assessment of public infrastructure from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This damage assessment is going to begin on May 15th. Upon completion, I will evaluate the need for Public Assistance and may request this program as well. This is represented in Enclosure B.
Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of assistance needed under the Stafford Act appear in Enclosure A. Estimated requirements for assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities are shown in Enclosure C. Enclosure D represents the certification of non-federal share.
I certify that, for this major disaster, the state and local governments will assume all applicable non-federal share required by the Stafford Act.
I have designated Kristi Turman as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. She will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide further information or justification on my behalf.
Again, Mr. President, I sincerely appreciate your consideration of my request and your willingness to assist South Dakota’s citizens in this time of greatest need.
Sincerely,
M. Michael Rounds
Enclosures