Rhoden signs disaster declaration for Dec. windstorm

Noem Slows FEMA Funding, Lays Off Disaster Response and Recovery Staff

Governor Larry Rhoden’s first executive order of 2026 declares an emergency due to the December 17 windstorm that, among other chaos, knocked out power around the Black Hills and made a mess as Custer State Park. The emergency declaration allows South Dakota to seek helpful handouts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If he wants to see any FEMA cash before next winter, Governor Rhoden better get some big donors to call Kristi Noem, si…

“Huge amount of damage” Gov. Rhoden seeks FEMA aid for December windstorm damage

South Dakota Gov. Rhoden is seeking FEMA assistance for damage caused by a powerful windstorm in the Black Hills last month.

Governor seeks federal help for damages from December wind storm

Gov. Larry Rhoden has asked the federal government to help pay for more than $1.7 million in damage to public property in South Dakota caused by a storm last month. Wind gusts of 100 miles an hour or more tore through large swaths of western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming Dec. 17-18, causing what a press release from Rhoden’s office called “severe infrastructure damage.” Pennington, Custer and Fall River counties were among the most affected, …

Rhoden signs disaster declaration for Dec. windstorm

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) - Governor Larry Rhoden signed a disaster declaration on Wednesday, asking for FEMA assistance for damages caused during the December windstorm. Dec. 17, 2025 brought winds exceeding 100 mph, causing severe damage to infrastructure, affecting Pennington, Custer, and Fall River counties the most. According to a news release from Rhoden's office, [...]