South Dakota Receives Federal Disaster Aid After Devastating Winter Windstorm

Gov. Rhoden secures presidential declaration to support recovery efforts in western part of state

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:26pm

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A vast, majestic landscape painting in muted tones of white, grey, and blue, depicting a snow-covered prairie under a dramatic, turbulent sky. The scene conveys the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment, with any physical structures or objects dwarfed by the sweeping, atmospheric conditions.A presidential disaster declaration unlocks federal aid to help South Dakota communities recover from a historic winter windstorm that caused widespread damage across the state.Pierre Today

Gov. Larry Rhoden announced that South Dakota has received a presidential disaster declaration in response to a historic, record-breaking winter windstorm that struck western South Dakota on December 17 and 18, 2025. The declaration makes federal assistance available to support recovery efforts following widespread damage caused by extreme winds.

Why it matters

The presidential disaster declaration will unlock critical federal funding and resources to help communities in western South Dakota rebuild and recover from the extensive damage caused by the powerful winter windstorm. This type of extreme weather event is becoming more frequent due to climate change, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness and response.

The details

The winter windstorm that hit western South Dakota in late 2025 featured sustained winds of over 80 mph, with gusts reaching up to 100 mph. The extreme winds downed power lines, damaged homes and businesses, and left thousands without electricity for days. Gov. Rhoden quickly requested a federal disaster declaration to access federal aid and support the state's recovery efforts.

  • The winter windstorm struck western South Dakota on December 17 and 18, 2025.
  • Gov. Rhoden requested a federal disaster declaration shortly after the storm.

The players

Gov. Larry Rhoden

The governor of South Dakota who announced the federal disaster declaration.

President Trump

The President of the United States who approved the disaster declaration for South Dakota.

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What they’re saying

“I appreciate President Trump's quick action in approving this disaster declaration, which will provide critical assistance to the communities and families impacted by this historic winter storm.”

— Gov. Larry Rhoden, Governor of South Dakota

What’s next

With the federal disaster declaration in place, state and local officials in South Dakota can now begin the process of accessing federal aid and resources to support recovery efforts, including repairing damaged infrastructure, providing assistance to affected residents, and implementing measures to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events.

The takeaway

The devastating winter windstorm in South Dakota is a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The presidential disaster declaration and subsequent federal aid will be crucial in helping the state's communities recover and build resilience, but this event also underscores the need for proactive measures to address the root causes of climate change and better prepare for the challenges ahead.