Rushmore State News

PIERRE, S.D. – On June 2, Governor Kristi Noem signed Executive Order 2023-08, which declares a disaster in counties impacted by spring flooding that occurred April 9 through May 5, 2023.

The order declares a disaster to exist in the counties of Brown, Clark, Codington, Day, Faulk, Grant, Hand, Marshall, Potter, and Roberts, as well as the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. The order also states federal resources are needed to help with the impacts of the flooding for state, tribal, and local governments.

The Executive Order is part of a request for public assistance and a Presidential Disaster Declaration request. An estimated $2,305,362 in damage was incurred during the flooding in those counties listed.

Above normal seasonal snowfall and unusually cold late spring conditions resulted in a persistent and unusually deep snowpack into early April. In the second week of April temperatures became abnormally warm, surging to the 70s and 80s.   This resulted in a period of very rapid snowmelt and both river and overland flooding.  As a result of the flooding many roads were not suitable for travel. Ten counties and one Reservation suffered severe impacts to public infrastructure.

Original source can be found here