Governor Kristi Noem is re-opening Interstates 90 and 29.
She says snow plows are out and clearing roads.
Noem says officials are monitoring flooding impact the additional snow could have as it melts off.
Crews are plowing the state’s highways and interstates that were shutdown from Winter Storm Wesley.
Governor Kristi Noem says just because roads are open, doesn’t mean everything is clear.
It’s the second blizzard in roughly a month, that’s bookended flooding across the state.
Noem declared an emergency during the first storm.
Noem says the emergency declaration she signed a few weeks ago is ongoing and will cover this storm. She says the state is working with local officials to tally any losses that have happened during this time.
“We will continue to work with our county emergency management directors, with leaders in our different cities and towns to collect and assess what those damages and costs have been and we will be submitting them as one application,” Noem says.
Noem says roughly 8,500 people are still without power, mainly at areas with substations.
She says people in Kadoka weren’t able to get medicine they needed, so she deployed the highway patrol to deliver medicine from Rapid City.
“We also heard of a Redfield pharmacist who delivered medication on a tractor during the blizzard,” Noem says. “This is some of the reasons why South Dakota is so wonderful. Everyone came together to help each other when things got tough. I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who took care of their neighbors and family and helped farmers and ranchers with their livestock as well.”
Noem says she also wants to thank those who stayed home, which she says helped the state’s emergency responders.