Sen. Thune is steadfast in his support for federal disaster assistance for South Dakota communities impacted by tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and extreme winter weather. Rebuilding homes, communities, and infrastructure is a shared responsibility.
Highlights of Sen. Thune’s Commitment to Disaster Assistance:
- Requests for Major Disaster Declaration:
- Sen. Thune has long supported governors’ requests for presidential disaster declarations following tornadoes, flooding, and specifically, the blizzard that impacted western South Dakota in 2013.
- Ag producers are particularly vulnerable to disaster damage, and Sen. Thune championed reforms to ag disaster programs in the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bill.
- A presidential disaster declaration is necessary to trigger certain federal financial assistance for individuals, businesses, and communities.
- Flood Mapping:
- Sen. Thune continues to work with South Dakota communities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure flood maps accurately reflect risks faced by homeowners and communities.
- Flood maps are the basis for determining requirements and costs for flood insurance.
- Compensation for Government-Caused Wildfires:
- Sen. Thune called on the U.S. Forest Service to take responsibility for the Pautre fire caused by government negligence when federal employees attempted a controlled burn that spread to private land.
- In response to numerous fires that burned out of control, Sen. Thune introduce legislation that would prevent reckless prescribed burns on federal lands.
