Gov. Kristi Noem declares disaster in 10 SD counties soaked by spring flooding

Gov. Kristi Noem has issued a disaster declaration in northeastern and east-central South Dakota counties impacted by springtime flooding.

Noem signed an executive order Friday to declare a disaster in Brown, Clark, Codington, Day, Faulk, Grant, Hand, Marshall, Potter and Roberts counties, as well as the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation. Rapid snowmelt led to moderate and major flooding in the impacted areas between April 9 and May 5.

More than $2.3 million in damages were incurred during the flooding in the listed counties, according to a release from the Governor's office. The executive order is part of a request for public assistance and a Presidential Disaster Declaration request.

More: SD Gov. Noem plans to use emergency and disaster money to pay for border troop deployment

Above normal seasonal snowfall and unusually cold late spring conditions resulted in a persistent and unusually deep snowpack into early April. In the second week of April temperatures became abnormally warm, surging to the 70s and 80s, according to the release.

This resulted in a period of very rapid snowmelt and both river and overland flooding, the release continues, leaving many roads unsuitable for travel.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Noem declares disaster in 10 South Dakota's flood-impacted counties