FEMA Teams Surveying Blizzard, Flood Damage in South Dakota

Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are working in western South Dakota to document the damage caused by an Oct. 4 blizzard.

The storm dumped up to 4 feet of snow in the region, cutting power to about 30,000 customers, killing tens of thousands of cattle, and damaging or destroying buildings, trees and electrical system infrastructure.

Starting this week, 14 FEMA teams are visiting 15 counties and two American Indian reservations where public infrastructure and nonprofit entities suffered damage. Damage from flooding that followed the storm also is being assessed.

The initial damage assessment is one of the steps necessary for federal aid. A final review would come later.