Minnehaha County declared 'disaster area' following May 12 derecho; officials seek federal aid

Nicole Ki, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·2 min read

Minnehaha County has declared the May 12 derecho storm, resulting in widespread damages to power lines, homes and businesses, a "disaster."

At Tuesday's county commission meeting, emergency management director Jason Gearman asked commissioners to advance a resolution declaring the county a "disaster area," where "the county, cities, citizens and power companies incurred significant expense and hardship."

The severe thunderstorm and straight-line wind event caused damages to "power lines, homes, businesses, residential and commercial accessory structures, and it uprooted numerous trees which also caused damage to both personal and real property belonging to the citizens of Minnehaha County," read the resolution.

More: Why didn't Sioux Falls' storm sirens go off during the derecho Thursday?

Minnehaha County commissioners listening in on a discussion about the May 12th derecho storm, where they declared the county a "disaster area," on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Minnehaha County commissioners listening in on a discussion about the May 12th derecho storm, where they declared the county a "disaster area," on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

Gearman told the commission there's a deadline of Friday, when declarations need to be in. There's also a certain threshold that needs to be met, but the county has not met that threshold yet, he informed.

"This is for public infrastructure, so roads, bridges, buildings, the cost that cities have incurred to clean up the debris and damage to roofs," he said.

Minnehaha County emergency management director Jason Gearman informs commissioners the deadline to make declarations for potential storm damage funds, following the May 12th derecho storm, is on Friday, at a commission meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
Minnehaha County emergency management director Jason Gearman informs commissioners the deadline to make declarations for potential storm damage funds, following the May 12th derecho storm, is on Friday, at a commission meeting on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

The declaration extends throughout the county and for the population of Minnehaha County, with the request for Gov. Kristi Noem "to ensure that the maximum amount of assistance is made available to affected local governments, businesses and residents."

Separate from that is individual assistance, Gearman clarified. The morning after the severe thunderstorm, Noem announced at a city of Sioux Falls press conference the state would not be a resource for individual assistance and recommended South Dakotans contact their insurance companies to claim storm damages.

More: Sioux Falls NWS labels Thursday's strong winds a 'derecho,' with damages similar to a tornado

"We are still encouraging people to call in with their individual assistance with their damage to the 211 system," said Gearman.

Commissioner Dean Karsky told the Argus Leader the declaration is the commission doing its "due diligence" to qualify for any available federal funds to cover storm damage. He's unsure if the county will see any of it, though.

In discussion on the resolution, which passed unanimously, commission chairperson Cindy Heiberger reminded the public the Helpline Center is the central resource to call to get damage assistance and remains available for anyone who is seeking assistance for damages.

Email human rights reporter Nicole Ki at nki@argusleader.com or follow on Twitter at @_nicoleki.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Disaster area declared in Minnehaha County after derecho; aid sought