Sen. Rounds: Delegation Urges Administration to Quickly Approve South Dakota Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, issued the following news release:

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today sent a letter to President Trump in support of Gov. Kristi Noem's (R-S.D.) request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019. The delegation has strongly supported South Dakota's previous disaster requests, including those from late-winter storms that caused significant damage to infrastructure, livestock, homes, and bridges throughout the state.

"South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic," wrote Thune, Rounds, and Johnson. "We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supporting the local communities and the state of South Dakota as we continue to rebuild areas affected by these major weather events."

Full text of the letter is below:

The Honorable Donald Trump

President of the United States

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump:

We write in full support of Governor Kristi Noem's request for a major disaster declaration for the state of South Dakota as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on September 9, 2019.

As Governor Noem's disaster declaration request indicates, the severe weather last month caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, agriculture, and public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, highways, railroads, parks, and electrical systems across southeastern South Dakota. Many residents had to be evacuated from flood waters or buildings that had been damaged from tornadoes. Thousands of acres of farmland cannot be planted due to severe flooding, which will have a financial impact on individual farming operations and the rural communities in which farmers live.

South Dakota has been hit with disastrous storm after storm this year, and the devastation has been catastrophic. We are determined to help South Dakota recover by supporting the local communities and the state of South Dakota as we continue to rebuild areas affected by these major weather events.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.

Sincerely,