Governor Larry Rhoden has issued a disaster declaration to request federal assistance from FEMA following the destructive December windstorm.
The storm, which struck on December 17, 2025, brought wind gusts topping 100 mph and left significant damage across the state. Pennington, Custer, and Fall River counties were among the hardest hit.
Cleanup efforts are already well underway, aided in part by Department of Corrections inmate work crews. However, to qualify for FEMA assistance, the Governor must submit a disaster declaration within 30 days of the event. The state must also meet a minimum of $1,720,133.98 in public infrastructure damage — a threshold current estimates have now surpassed.
If FEMA approves the request, eligible public entities would receive 75% of repair costs from the federal government, with the state covering 10% and counties responsible for the remaining 15%.
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