FEMA Approves $1M for South Dakota Blizzard Debris Removal

State officials say the Federal Emergency Management Agency will award more than $1 million to the city of Rapid City for debris clean-up from an October blizzard.

Public Safety Secretary Trevor Jones says the public-assistance funds are being provided to reimburse the city for eligible costs of cleaning up storm debris following the October blizzard.

The FEMA money is to cover 80 percent of the cost of clean-up work done within 90 days of the blizzard. The state of South Dakota will provide an additional $126,000, which represents 10 percent of the eligible expenses. The city is responsible for the remaining 10 percent.

Rapid City is participating in a pilot program through which FEMA reimburses a greater cost share if debris removal is expedited.