South Dakota
McCook Lake victims still ‘in the dark,’ waiting for FEMA help nearly seven weeks after flood • South Dakota Searchlight
Nearly seven weeks after the devastating June 23 flood at McCook Lake, victims are still in limbo about the possibility of federal aid, and some feel abandoned by government officials.
Renae Hansen is a flood victim and works with the McCook Lake Izaak Walton League, which has tried to fill some of the leadership and organizational gaps in the flood response.
“We have no idea what’s happening or what to expect,” Hansen said. “It feels like we’re being kept in the dark.”
The flood destroyed or severely damaged at least 40 homes and some infrastructure in the McCook Lake area. Some flood victims — including some who lack flood insurance — are staying in hotels or with family or friends as they wait for news about possible help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Hansen also described the confusion and lack of coordination on the ground in McCook Lake, noting that the Izaak Walton League was filling recovery roles beyond its expertise because no other institution was doing it. She recently moved away from that effort to resume handling the organization’s primary obligations.
“We were just trying to help,” she said. “But we didn’t have any official support or direction. We had volunteers trying to log damages without any guidance from the city or state.”
FEMA wait explained
Some residents expressed their frustration about the wait for federal assistance on Monday during a North Sioux City Council meeting. More than a month passed between the flood and Republican Governor Kristi Noem’s July 26 request to the president for a major disaster declaration, and there has been no word yet on a presidential declaration that would trigger FEMA aid.
Hansen wants to know why it took that long and is calling for more state action.
“We have residents on the brink of homelessness,” Hansen said. “We need answers, but we also need support.”
‘We have nothing’: Flood victims say government failures continue after botched flood warning
In Iowa, which also experienced flooding from the same historically heavy rainstorms in late June, President Joe Biden approved that state’s disaster declaration on June 24. However, Iowa had already been working with FEMA regarding other storms that began on June 16.
Tony Mayne is a media relations specialist with the FEMA Region 8 Office. He said South Dakota took the “standard” route for its disaster declaration, and Iowa chose the “expedited” route.
“South Dakota determined the process that would be best for the state,” he said.
Mayne said the expedited route is for disasters where officials are confident they know the extent of the damages — because if an overestimation is submitted, the state pays the difference. Mayne did not speak for the state of South Dakota but said flood damage across the 25 affected counties varies widely in comparison to McCook Lake.
“Sure, damage to that one area is obvious,” he said. “It’s not just that one area.”
In response to questions about the process from South Dakota Searchlight, Noem’s spokesman, Ian Fury, pointed to a previous press release comment by Kristi Turman, director of the Division of Emergency Services at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
“This thorough damage assessment was normal protocol for a presidential disaster declaration,” Turman said, “and it’s an important part of the process to make sure all eligible counties and citizens are included.”
As flood victims wait on assistance, some contractors who assisted with the flood preparations and response are being paid. During the North Sioux City Council meeting, council members approved several pay requests for the flood, including a $59,000 payment to The Blue Cell, a contractor based in Colorado. North Sioux City’s mayor said state officials advised hiring Blue Cell to help manage the disaster. Todd Manns, Blue Cell’s owner, did not respond to an interview request.
Noem: ‘Everything we can to help’
Hours before the McCook Lake flood on June 23, Noem held a press conference in North Sioux City where neither she nor any of the other public officials in attendance expressed any grave concerns about McCook Lake, even though a record crest was already projected on the nearby Big Sioux River.
The main focus of the press conference was a voluntary evacuation order for nearby Dakota Dunes and the construction of a temporary levee, which neither Noem nor anyone else at the press conference clearly explained was intended to divert water toward McCook Lake. Authorities hoped water wouldn’t reach the lake and assumed that if it did, the lake would swell manageably, and excess water would drain toward the Missouri River. Instead, floodwaters slammed into the lake on the evening of June 23 and caused catastrophic damage.
Following the June 23 afternoon press conference, Noem flew to a speaking engagement for a county Republican Party fundraiser in Tennessee while the floodwaters ravaged McCook Lake that night.
From June 23 to 27, Noem shared over a dozen posts on her personal X (formerly Twitter) profile, mostly about the southeastern South Dakota flooding. Two linked to videos of press conferences that have since been deleted. Posts show she visited the region in that timeframe.
“My heart goes out to the families on McCook Lake whose homes were destroyed by this flooding,” she shared. “We’ll keep doing everything we can to help with the situation.”
“Everything” did not include deploying the National Guard, which Noem declined to do.
McCook Lake catastrophe shatters complacency around old flood plans
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joined Noem in McCook Lake to survey the devastation days after the flood. “I am going to do everything I can to get assistance to our communities ASAP and help these families start to recover their lives,” Noem wrote in posts featuring photos with Criswell.
South Dakota U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson told South Dakota Searchlight on Wednesday that he thinks FEMA aid will be approved soon.
“This is a no-brainer,” said Johnson, a Republican. “This is not a close call. This was a devastating event.”
However, Mayne, the spokesperson for FEMA, said the agency can’t do much for the people who lost their homes. FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to meet basic needs and help households recover, but it typically covers only essential expenses such as temporary housing and minor repairs.
“We’re not going to make you whole, we’re not going to rebuild your house,” he said, advising residents to turn to local organizations and nonprofits.
U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, said it’s unlikely the congressional delegation will be able to secure federal funding beyond the FEMA aid.
“We’ll look at what other options might be out there, but it’s going to be challenging,” he said.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
(SOUTH DAKOTA SEARCHLIGHT) – Democrats are running for 46 of South Dakota’s 105 legislative seats — leaving 56% of seats without a Democratic candidate.
That doesn’t bode well for the party ahead of November, said Michael Card, professor emeritus of political science at the University of South Dakota.
“It doesn’t put them in a position to actually put forward their ideological policy preferences and have much of a success at getting those enacted,” Card said.
In the state Senate alone, Democrats have failed to field a candidate for 22 seats, which is nearly two-thirds of the chamber. In the House, Democrats have failed to field a candidate for 38 seats, which is 54% of the chamber.
There is only one Democratic legislative primary in the state: a state Senate race in District 26, which includes the Rosebud Reservation.
There are no statewide Democratic primaries, after announced candidates for governor and U.S. House dropped out or failed to gather enough petition signatures to make the ballot, leaving one Democrat in each of those races.
Statewide candidates will have less name recognition than Republican candidates ahead of the general election, since they didn’t have primaries, Card said. In the Legislature, Card said Democrats “are guaranteeing they won’t get a majority.”
In contrast, Republicans have primary races for governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Five legislative districts do not have Republican primaries, but do have Republican candidates. There is a Republican candidate running for every legislative seat, except for one House seat in District 27, which includes the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Card said there are several factors leading to poor candidate turnout among Democrats, including a self-fulfilling cycle of failure.
“A lack of winning makes fewer people willing to take a chance on running for office,” Card said. “Why run if I think I’m going to lose?”
Democrats haven’t held a statewide office since 2015, and they haven’t held a majority of either legislative chamber since 1994.
Joe Zweifel, deputy executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, said the organization worked “really, really hard” to convince Democrats to run for office.
“But you can’t force people to run for office,” said Zweifel, of Sioux Falls, who’s running for a legislative seat himself in District 12.
He’s heard the open seats called a “failure.” But he disagrees, choosing to focus on the Democrats who did step forward.
“We’re running quality, good candidates in those races,” Zweifel said.
The South Dakota Democratic Party hopes to build on legislative successes, such as a new law from Rep. Kadyn Wittman, D-Sioux Falls, that commits state funding to cover the family portion of reduced-price school meals.
“That specifically is a return on investment for our donors, and it shows that Democrats are doing good things for the people of South Dakota,” Zweifel said.
Wittman’s success helped inspire Democratic District 13 House of Representatives candidate Ali Rae Horsted, of Sioux Falls, to take a second run at the Legislature. Horsted ran unsuccessfully for the Senate against Sen. Sue Peterson in 2024, garnering 42% of the vote.
Horsted plans to build on that success and the name recognition she already has in the district. She hopes she’ll have “better odds” in this election, since there are two House seats for every district.
Horsted said it would better serve South Dakota if the state had a more balanced Legislature. While the latest Legislature was 92% Republican, 52% of voters in South Dakota are Republican. South Dakota has the lowest percentage of Democrats, 7.6%, in the Legislature nationwide.
“I think it’s important that people have options on the ballot,” Horsted said, “and people are able to vote for candidates that represent their values and their vision for the future of South Dakota.”
Makenzie Huber is a lifelong South Dakotan who regularly reports on the intersection of politics and policy with health, education, social services and Indigenous affairs. Her work with South Dakota Searchlight earned her the title of South Dakota’s Outstanding Young Journalist in 2024, and she was a 2024 finalist for the national Livingston Awards.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
From East River to West River, South Dakota communities share a common goal: creating places where people of all ages can live, work and thrive. AARP’s Domains of Livability provide a framework to help communities do just that. Through the AARP Community Challenge grant program—designed to spark quick, impactful local projects—South Dakota communities are turning big ideas into visible, people-centered improvements.
Read the South Dakota Community Challenge Grant Report, which showcases grant-funded projects across the state designed to build more livable communities.
What Are AARP’s Domains of Livability?
AARP’s approach to livable communities is rooted in eight interconnected domains that together support quality of life at every age:
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings – Safe, accessible parks, streets and public buildings
- Transportation – Affordable, accessible options for getting around
- Housing – A range of choices that support independence
- Social Participation – Opportunities to connect, learn and have fun
- Respect and Social Inclusion – Communities that value people of all backgrounds and ages
- Civic Participation and Employment – Meaningful ways to engage and contribute
- Communication and Information – Clear, accessible ways to stay informed
- Community Support and Health Services – Access to services that support well-being
These domains work best when addressed together—something South Dakota communities are embracing.
Turning Vision into Action with Community Challenge Grants
AARP Community Challenge grants fund short-term, “quick-action” projects that can ignite long-term change. Across South Dakota, these grants have helped communities pilot ideas, build momentum and demonstrate what’s possible when residents put people first.
Here’s how local projects are bringing the Domains of Livability to life:
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: Communities have used grants to enhance parks, create pop-up public spaces, add benches and shade and install wayfinding signs. These improvements invite people to linger, gather, and enjoy shared spaces—supporting both physical activity and social connection.
- Transportation: Small, thoughtful transportation projects can make a big difference. Community Challenge grants have supported safer crossings, improved walkability and bikeability around key destinations and the planning or installation of transit amenities like shelters and seating—especially important for older adults and people with mobility challenges.
- Housing and Community Support: Some projects focus on helping residents age in place by improving access to information about home modification resources or by testing neighborhood-level solutions that connect people to services. These efforts strengthen independence and peace of mind.
- Social Participation and Inclusion: Murals, community events and creative placemaking projects funded by AARP grants have sparked community pride and social connection. By involving residents in design and implementation, these projects foster respect, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging across generations.
- Communication, Civic Participation and Opportunity: From hosting community conversations to creating new tools for sharing local information, South Dakota communities are using grants to engage residents in shaping their future. These efforts elevate local voices and encourage ongoing civic participation.
Vermillion is a college town built around a historic Main Street with an urban feel. With the University of South Dakota just about a mile away, the stretch stands apart for its youthful energy and academic culture. Best explored on foot, Main Street pairs 19th-century brick storefronts with stops like Café Brulé and the nostalgic Coyote Twin Theater. Murals and sculptures add pops of color to the town center, including works from Mural on the Wall and the Mirrored Medicine Wheel. Below are some of the downtown’s best highlights.
Walkable, Accessible, And Student-Friendly
Since most of downtown Vermillion is centered on Main Street, the district is compact and pleasant to stroll. Better yet, walking here from the University of South Dakota only takes about 20 minutes, making it accessible for students without cars. In recent years, the Vermillion Downtown Streetscape project has also enhanced pedestrian accessibility and safety. By implementing ramps, wider sidewalks, and well-placed crosswalks, navigating downtown Vermillion is easier and safer than ever.
Parking In Downtown Vermillion
Alongside its pedestrian-friendly improvements, the Vermillion Downtown Streetscape project made sure to maintain ample parking. Main Street and the first blocks along its north and south side streets offer plenty of free parking for locals and visitors alike. Removing the hassle of parking meters, you can explore downtown Vermillion without stressful time constraints.
Charming Architecture
With many buildings built between 1880 and 1942, history cements downtown Vermillion. Main Street stands out for its historic facades, where brick storefronts tell a story. After a fire destroyed much of the street in the late 19th century, a town ordinance banned wood-frame buildings from the district, explaining the streetscape we see today.
Some main street structures predate the infamous fire, like the present-day Dakota Brick House restaurant. Other brick landmarks were rebuilt in accordance with the ordinance, like the Classical Revival-style Clay County Courthouse, constructed between 1912 and 1913. Coupled with old-fashioned lampposts and weave-patterned pavement inspired by Main Street’s brick buildings, downtown Vermillion is a living time capsule.
Cool Cafes And Shops
Like all the best college towns, Vermillion is fueled by caffeine, a cafe-culture haven. Main Street W houses cozy places like Café Brulé, which specializes in “comfort food, decadent desserts, and espresso coffee drinks with classic hospitality.” A few doors down, The Bean Community Coffeehouse is a favored spot for students, serving everything from sweet cream cold brews to Italian cream sodas.
If you grab a to-go order, shopping is a great follow-up. The stores in downtown Vermillion reflect its diverse population, with something for every budget and vibe. Cash-strapped students and retro enthusiasts are drawn to spots like the Civic Council Thrift Store, but you can also find clothing boutiques like Blue Monarch. For your next read or a new board game, Outside of a Dog Books & Games is another cute and welcoming store to hunt for a souvenir.
Public Art
As you continue strolling downtown, Vermillion’s award-winning outdoor art is impossible to miss. Since 2017, the Vermillion Community Mural Project (now Mural On the Wall) has decked out downtown with colorful and meaningful installations. The massive artworks depict Indigenous themes, elements of local culture, and messages of inclusion, including the “It Gets Better: Vermillion Pride” installation outside Café Brulé.
Vermillion is also known for its SculptureWalk, installed by the Vermillion Cultural Association. Much like the downtown murals, these 6 sculptures breathe life into the district, depicting themes like resilience and family, along with Indigenous culture. The Mirrored Medicine Wheel is a striking example, situated at the corner of Main Street and Elm. Bear in mind, 2026 marks a rotation for the Sculpture Walk, meaning locals and visitors can expect to see a new set of sculptures sometime in the spring.
Dining, Entertainment, And Nightlife
In the evening, downtown Vermillion sees no signs of slowing down. Foodies flock to Cee Cee’s 605 Scratch Kitchen & Bar for happy hour cocktails and made-from-scratch dishes, while Native-owned Dez From The Rez serves cultural comfort foods with a modern twist. Afterward, Main Street’s Coyote Twin Theater is a great follow-up for new film releases and freshly popped popcorn.
Once night falls, Vermillion’s bar scene keeps downtown alive. On Main Street, Carey’s Bar has served locals and students since 1954. Nearby, the Main Street Pub is favored for its classic bar bites, while XIX (19) Brewing Company specializes in good beer, good company, and themed trivia nights.
Explore Towns Near Vermillion
There are countless cool towns to explore near Vermillion if you want to keep the good times rolling. 30 minutes southeast, North Sioux City offers an eclectic range of entertainment. During the day, visitors can enjoy NASCAR races at the Park Jefferson Speedway. Later, evening calls for gaming on “The Strip,” a two-block gambling district with spots like Beano & Sherry’s Casinos.
For outdoor fun, the town of Beresford is a gateway to Union Grove State Park. A 20-minute drive from Vermillion, Union Grove is home to serene tree-studded hillsides, making it a popular place to picnic, hike, or spend a night under the stars. Alternatively, 30 minutes west of Vermillion, Yankton is a blend of both towns. At Riverside Park, visitors can stroll, fish, and picnic along the Missouri River. Further inland, Broadway Ave is dotted with casinos like the South Point Gaming Lounge.
A Day In Downtown Vermillion
While it’s helpful to have an itinerary, exploring downtown Vermillion can be even better with a bit of curiosity and spontaneity. Tucked in between its top bars, murals, and cafes, you could find a hidden hangout locals love or a piece of public art not detailed online. That being said, Vermillion’s top-frequented restaurants and shops are popular for good reason, so don’t be afraid to follow the crowds. No matter where you start, go, and end, this South Dakota downtown is an absolute joy to walk through.
-
Hawaii2 minutes agoLarge section of Aloha Stadium demolished as project proceeds – West Hawaii Today
-
Idaho8 minutes ago
Idaho Lottery results: See winning numbers for Powerball, Pick 3 on April 18, 2026
-
Illinois14 minutes ago5 tornadoes confirmed in Illinois from Friday’s storms
-
Indiana20 minutes agoAn Indiana district turned to voters to fund more preschool seats. Here’s what happened next.
-
Iowa26 minutes agoVote: Who Should be Iowa’s High School Athlete of the Week? (4/19/2026)
-
Kansas32 minutes agoKansas Losing Momentum With Key Transfer Target After New Visits
-
Kentucky38 minutes agoKentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
-
Louisiana44 minutes ago‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion