MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Davison County Emergency Management Director Jeff Bathke gave an update to the Davison County Commission at yesterday’s (July 2, 2024) Davison County Commission meeting. Mr. Bathke pointed out that the flooding in 2019 caused $11 million in damage to Davison County, in part because five bridges were washed out that year. No bridges were lost in the county in this year’s flooding.
Bathke did not give any figures for damage due to flooding this year yet because he is waiting for 16 different governmental agencies (cities, towns and townships – in addition to Davison County itself) to submit their damage assessments for inclusion in a report to the State of South Dakota. Those reports are due by July 12, 2024.
Mr. Bathke also indicated that individuals are eligible for federal assistance if they had 18 inches of standing water in their basement and if the basement was a primary bedroom for one or more people in the household. Individuals who do qualify for federal flood disaster assistance are eligible for up to $35,500 in federal relief funds.