First Premier donates $50,000 as Castlewood relief efforts continue after Thursday tornado
As recovery from Thursday's tornado continues, First Premier Bank and First Premier Bankcard has made a $50,000 donation to relief efforts in Castlewood.
The company is challenging other businesses to follow suit.
“This initial gift to the Castlewood Relief Fund will help get things rolling. We expect to help in other ways during the coming weeks, and we hope that others will join us. In South Dakota, neighbors help neighbors … it’s what we do," First Premier Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse said in a news release.
Donations to the Castlewood Relief Fund can be sent to Castlewood Community Foundation, PO Box 310, Castlewood, SD 57223
No new injuries, power restored
No new injuries have been reported in Castlewood since a tornado ripped through the town, said Hamlin County Emergency Manager Dave Schaefer on Monday afternoon.
Overall, there were only three minor injuries, said Schaefer, adding that Castlewood was lucky to not have had more since the tornado went through the middle of the town.
The tornado was given an EF-2 rating on the Fujita scale with winds around 120 mph, according to the National Weather Service
Overall, the city is doing as well as it can be, said Schaefer. As of Sunday evening, more than 2,000 meals had been served to residents and volunteers, he said.
Most of the town also has power again aside from some of the buildings that were badly damaged, said Schaefer. The entirety of the town was without power following the storm. A majority of the town's power was restored by around 5 p.m. on Saturday, while the rest was restored on Sunday.
Although all the roads are now open and there are no down power lines, there is still tree damage throughout the town. While the cleanup process is going well, Schaefer said that one of the main focuses of the effort still is debris removal.
More: Cleanup efforts under way in Castlewood and beyond after EF2 tornado, severe storms
Twenty structures are deemed destroyed or uninhabitable, while 40 are considered damaged, according to local officials. That damage could range from structures that had broken windows and doors during the storm to structures with roof damage from trees.
Not much can be done at this point in regards to the houses with damage, said Schaefer, since that is mostly dealt with by insurance companies. Everyone with destroyed houses also currently has a place to stay, with some staying in hotels in Watertown and others with friends and family. But since insurance companies will only pay for housing temporarily, Schaefer said that the city will also look into more long-term solutions for housing as the goal is to get everyone back into Castlewood.
There are also structural engineers evaluating the damage of the school. They'll decide whether the school can be repaired or will need to be torn down, he said.
Another big focus over the next few weeks will also be mental health resources, said Schaefer. The city and school will be looking into mental health resources for students, as seeing their school destroyed can be a traumatic experience, said Schaefer.
Salvation Army helping local residents
Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams from Mitchell and Watertown have also been working a storm relief operation in Castlewood.
“It is an honor for us to serve alongside Castlewood residents and first responders,” Watertown Corps officer Capt. Dennis Jolly said in a news release. “The Salvation Army is committed to continue serving Castlewood as the recovery and rebuilding process moves forward.”
The food pantry at Watertown Salvation Army, 621 4th St SE, is now open and ready to assist residents, per the release.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Castlewood, South Dakota reels after tornado, continues cleanup effort
