FLOOD INFORMATION:
Union County along with the City of North Sioux City have both completed disaster declarations. Both these declarations have been sent to Governor Noem’s office. Governor Noem has also declared the State of South Dakota a disaster.
The following process must take place before FEMA is allowed to due damage assessments and for individuals to apply for assistance from FEMA.
While we wait for FEMA assistance we ask individuals with property damage to do the following.
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Document and photograph all damages.
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Notify your homeowners insurance of the flood damage and receive payment or a written denial of claim. The written denial will be needed to file for FEMA individual assistance.
July 26, 2024
Contact: Ian Fury
South Dakota Submits Official Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem formally requested a major disaster declaration from the President for 25 counties due to the severe flooding that occurred in South Dakota between June 16 and July 8, 2024. Governor Noem signed Executive Order 2024-06 declaring the disaster. According to the National Weather Service, the rain event that created this flooding was a 1,000-year event (see Image 1 below).
Today, we are submitting our request for a presidential disaster declaration to address the damage from a historic 1,000-year flood that impacted South Dakota,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “We have been working with families, local governments and officials, and FEMA for weeks to assess the damage. I am so proud of what South Dakotans have been able to do to start piecing our communities back together.”
In the aftermath of the flooding, teams from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been on the ground conducting thorough damage assessments across the impacted areas, working closely to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate the necessary response efforts.
“This thorough damage assessment was normal protocol for a presidential disaster declaration, and it’s an important part of the process to make sure all eligible counties and citizens are included,” said Kristi Turman, Director of the Division of Emergency Services at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
During the flood, at least 11 river gauges hit new preliminary record-high levels. The Big Sioux River at Sioux City crested nearly eight feet higher than previous records. New record crests were set at the following locations:
- Big Sioux River at Canton, Hawarden, Akron, Richland, Jefferson, and Sioux City;
- Vermillion River at Davis, Wakonda, and Vermillion;
- West Fork Vermillion River at Parker; and
- Turkey Ridge Creek at Centerville.
The request for a presidential disaster declaration highlights a critical need in the following South Dakota counties: Aurora, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Douglas, Gregory, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Jackson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Tripp, Turner, Union, and Yankton.
If your property was damaged by the recent flood event please follow the link below and fill out and return 2024 Flood Damage online form:
https://unioncountysd.org/director-of-equalization/
Union County Director of Equalization is actively collecting data from property owners at this time for the 2025 Tax Year, payable in 2026. This information will assist with future property assessments.
2023 County precincts & district information:
Union County, created in 1862, organized in 1862, was originally named Cole County for Austin Cole, who was a member of the first Territorial Legislature. Two years later, the boundaries were rearranged and the name changed to Union because of sentiment for the Union side of the civil war. The county seat is located in Elk Point, and it includes the municipalities of Alcester, Beresford, Dakota Dunes (community improvement district), Jefferson, & North Sioux City and the unorganized community of Richland. Our population according to 2020 Census Data is 16,811. The county is bordered by Iowa and the Big Sioux River on it’s Eastern side & Nebraska and the Missouri River on it’s Southern side. Interstate 29 runs through the county from North to South.