FEMA has approved more than $6.6 million for South Dakota projects that will repair storm-damaged roads and embankments, replace water infrastructure and update fire-code and permitting systems.
The awards include more than $2 million through FEMA's Public Assistance program for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the city of Madison, along with more than $4.4 million through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.
Public Assistance funding helps states, tribal governments and local communities repair critical infrastructure, restore public buildings and roads, and recover eligible public health and safety costs after disasters.
Madison will receive more than $1.4 million to repair embankments damaged during severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2019. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will receive more than $770,000 to repair or replace embankments and roads damaged during severe winter storms and flooding that year.
The resilience program, commonly known as BRIC, supports projects intended to reduce damage from future fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and other hazards. FEMA said the program prioritizes construction projects ready for implementation and encourages current hazard-resistant building codes.
Walworth County will receive more than $2.4 million for the second phase of the city of Mobridge's Resilient Systems Project. The work calls for replacing raw-water intake pipelines, installing new pipes and upgrading the community's pumping system, concrete caisson and control system.
Rapid City will receive more than $1.9 million for a comprehensive update of its fire codes to match the 2024 International Fire Code. The award will also support converting planning, permitting, engineering and inspection operations to Cityworks or a similar platform across relevant departments and includes subrecipient management costs.
FEMA said the federal funding is intended to let state, tribal and local officials direct recovery and risk-reduction work based on community needs. The agency said resilience investments can protect property and infrastructure while reducing the cost of future disasters.
The newly approved projects add to federal disaster-recovery funding distributed to communities rebuilding after severe storms, tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters.
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