After much of southeastern South Dakota saw flooding this summer, the road to recovery has been long. However, technology and a looming disaster declaration could move that process forward.
This summers’ flooding was the most severe the state had seen in years, inundating homes, and costing at least one life.
The path forward is still murky though, and much of the process is held up by the unsigned presidential disaster declaration. In Union County, one of the hardest hit areas, emergency manager Jason Wescott said that support will make a big difference.
“Once we get that, that will open up individual assistance for individuals in the public who need assistance," Wescott said. "That will also open up public assistance, which goes toward roadway reconstruction, and electrical, sewer, water and gas. It’s kind of the key to the puzzle we’re waiting for.”
As a result of the delay, things have been slow going.
“When you have a major disaster like we’ve had in this area things take a while to get recovered and back to normal," Wescott said. "It’s going to be a long, slow process, but we’re working through it.”
While they wait on bureaucracy, technology is giving a boost. The use of LIDAR drones to map the area has given managers and engineers more insight into the damage.
LIDAR stands for light detection and ranging and has been used to survey forest density in the Black Hills.
“Lots of times what they do is throw a drone up in the air and there’s a LIDAR connected to that drone that can map out areas," Wescott said. "They can fly it through areas and map areas out, then do topography on that map so it can tell depth and height.”
In addition to a potential Presidential disaster declaration, the state has also received assistance and relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.