SIOUX FALLS – The State of South Dakota and FEMA are opening Disaster Recovery Centers in six counties across the state, including Brookings County. The centers offer in-person support to individuals and businesses that suffered losses from the severe winter storms and flooding from Sept. 9-26. Each center will be open for five days.

Visitors to the centers can learn about a variety of federal and state disaster recovery resources, in addition to aid available from voluntary organizations.  Center staff can explain available assistance programs and help connect people with resources that best match their specific needs. 

All locations except Hutchinson County will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Locations are:

• Brookings (Brookings County): Tuesday, Dec. 10 - Saturday, Dec. 14, Brookings Research and Technology Center, 809 32nd Ave.

• Flandreau (Moody County): Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Saturday, Dec. 21, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 505 S. Wind St.

• Olivet (Hutchinson County): Tuesday, Dec. 10 - Saturday, Dec. 14, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Hutchinson County Courthouse Room 166, 201 Mentor St.

• Lake Andes (Charles Mix County): Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Saturday, Dec. 21, County 4-H Building, 100 School St.

• Salem (McCook County): Tuesday, Dec. 10 - Saturday, Dec. 14, Salem Armory, 720 N. Peck St. 

• Alexandria (Hanson County): Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Saturday, Dec. 21, Hanson County Courthouse, 720 Fifth St.

Individuals can visit any of the centers for assistance. Use the FEMA mobile app, or visit www.fema.gov/DRC for current open locations. 

If possible, homeowners, renters and businesses should register for disaster assistance before visiting a recovery center. There are several ways to register:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

• By calling the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY: 800-462-7585. Lines are open daily from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Help is available in most languages.

• At one of FEMA’s disaster recovery center locations.

All recovery centers are accessible to people with disabilities. Centers have assistive technology to aid in communication. ASL interpretation is available upon request; contact the Recovery Center Manager upon arrival.

The South Dakota areas eligible to register with FEMA are Brookings, Charles Mix, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, Moody and Yankton counties and the Flandreau and Yankton Indian Reservations.