Sioux Falls, S.D. – The State of South Dakota and the Federal Emergency Management Agency encourage everyone with damage from the September 9-26, 2019 severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding to register for federal disaster assistance.
Many people who cleaned up flood damage and repaired flood-damaged property in the days following the storms don’t realize they may be eligible for reimbursement. It is important to let FEMA determine eligibility.
Clean up, repair and replacement costs - Residents may be eligible for reimbursement if they repaired or replaced disaster-damaged furnaces, water heaters, wells, or septic systems and have valid receipts. They may also be eligible for a one-time payment related to cleaning up flood damage.
Impacted by different disasters - Residents in four South Dakota counties – Charles Mix, Hutchinson, Minnehaha and Yankton counties – who registered earlier for disaster assistance following the March and April storms, will need to register again if they experienced new damage from the September storms.
Insurance - Residents with disaster-related losses not fully covered by insurance may register with FEMA. FEMA cannot duplicate assistance provided from insurance claims but assistance may be available for losses that weren’t covered.
Renters – FEMA/State grants and SBA loans may be available for eligible renters who lost personal property or who were displaced.
FEMA has funding to assist all who are eligible for assistance. Registering for disaster assistance does not affect the level of assistance to others.
To register for federal disaster assistance: Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY: 1-800-462-7585. Or register online: www.DisasterAssistance.gov
Residents can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center in person. DRCs are currently in Minnehaha, Hanson, Lake and Davison counties. Addresses can be found at fema.gov/DRClocator. Centers are accessible and are equipped with video remote interpreting and assistive listening devices. In-person American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters can be requested by calling or texting 605-400-8878.