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Governor requests Presidential disaster declaration for June flooding

Flood damage destroys part of a street in North Sioux City
Julie Burhoop
/
Courtesy
Flood damage destroys part of a street in North Sioux City

Governor Kristi Noem has requested a presidential disaster declaration connected to late June flooding in Southeast South Dakota.

According to her office, assessments needed to be made prior to making the request. Those assessments found at least 11 river gauges have hit record high levels.

That includes gauges in the Big Sioux, Vermillion and West Vermillion Rivers, and the Turkey Ridge Creek.

Noem was met with criticism during the flooding event for her decision to not deploy the state National Guard to the scene despite sending units to the US-Mexico border on multiple occasions. She cited financial concerns in her decision not to deploy.

C.J. Keene is a Rapid City-based journalist covering the legal system, education, and culture