[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1309-H1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA IS DECLARED A MAJOR DISASTER AREA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from South Dakota [Mr. Thune] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, the State of South Dakota has endured floods, 
we have endured blizzards, we have endured high winds, ice storms and 
power outages, and right now we are enduring all of the above 
simultaneously. It is one of the most savage and bizarre examples of 
bad weather that our State has ever seen, and yesterday the President 
declared South Dakota a disaster area.
  I think everybody at home would agree with that declaration. In fact, 
it makes official what we in South Dakota have known for a good long 
time, and that is that we are facing an enormous disaster.
  Now our State is eligible for individual assistance; 44 of the 66 
counties are eligible for public assistance, as well. Through all this, 
the people in our great State of South Dakota have shown themselves to 
be loyal, hardy, generous, and courageous. I think it speaks well to 
the pioneer stock from which we come, the spirit that they have shown, 
neighbor helping neighbor.
  I have been in my State and had the opportunity to see firsthand the 
devastation that has been wreaked by these storms. The city of 
Watertown, 50,000 people evacuated. Many homes will not receive power. 
The power has been shut off and the utilities have been shut off. They 
may not receive water for 6 weeks time.
  Little town of Leola, S.D., power went out on Sunday. They have been 
without heat and water for 2 days and they have had to rely upon each 
other. Each morning they wake up praying for heat while they face 
another day of cold.
  We have seen repeated examples, countless examples throughout our 
State. The little town of Lemmon, which received 24 inches of snow, and 
with the snow and the winds, 60-mile-an-hour winds on Saturday, lost 
all their power and the only way they could get around was with 4-
wheel-drives.
  We have seen the damage to the infrastructure in our State, the road 
system. Nineteen State Highways are underwater. U.S. highway 281 in the 
Redfield area is under 12 feet of water.
  So we have some enormous challenges when it comes to repairing the 
damage that has been done to our infrastructure, our agricultural 
producers, who have already received and experienced unprecedented 
damages to their livestock herds. The question of spring planting is in 
serious doubt. Our ranchers who have gone through the blizzards of 
winter, now as calving season comes around have to deal with the spring 
weather and trying to get their calf crop to come through in spite of 
the conditions that surround them.
  These are the types of things that have been happening in my State. 
In the last 2 weeks I have had the opportunity to view it firsthand, 
and I want to credit the administration, the President, for recognizing 
the needs, for declaring South Dakota, the Dakotas, a disaster area. I 
would hope that as we can make our way through all this, that as we 
look to each other, and we have seen countless examples of the Dakota 
experience, it has been no aberration.
  I recall my father telling me as he grew up in the Depression-era 
days of the 1930's what it was like to have to undergo extreme weather 
circumstances that strike at the very heart of our livelihood. So in 
this particular year we hope that we can get through it. We appreciate 
very much those from around our country who have recognized the need, 
have been there to help.
  I have invited the Secretary of Transportation to come out to look at 
our roads and our bridges, our infrastructure, and to see the 
destruction firsthand. The severity of the problem cannot be contained, 
and we have asked the rest of the Nation to recognize the need that is 
in my State of South Dakota, in North Dakota, surrounding States, and 
to help us find the resources that we need to get through this.
  As we do that, I am certainly hopeful that as we go through the 
process of balancing the budget, and frankly, Mr. Speaker, if we were 
able to balance our budget, we would have about $245 billion more in 
interest payments that we make that we could dedicate to this important 
cause. So we recognize the need for fiscal responsibility in this 
country but also the need to help those who cannot help themselves.
  We are very grateful that our Nation has banded together and has 
recognized the extreme circumstances and weather conditions we are 
having in South Dakota, and I want to credit my people, the folks in my 
home State who have weathered this storm, continuing to show the 
incredible spirit, the incredible fortitude for which we are known and 
for which we continue to survive.
  Mr. Speaker, the great State of South Dakota has endured floods, 
we've endured blizzards, we're endured high winds, ice storms, and 
power outages. But right now we're enduring all of the above 
simultaneously. It's one of the most savage and bizarre example of bad 
weather seen in South Dakota in the last 500 years.
  Yesterday, the President declared the State of a major disaster. 
Everyone at home agrees wholeheartedly with that assessment and I would 
like to thank the President at this time for recognizing the scope and 
severity of our problem. South Dakota is now eligible for individual 
assistance. The President has also made 44 of 66 counties immediately 
eligible for public assistance, all of which is greatly needed.
  I'd like to take the next few minutes to explain why. I'd also like 
to take this opportunity to show the Nation the kind of people I'm here 
to represent.
  Throughout this disaster the people of South Dakota have shown 
themselves to be loyal, hardy, generous, and courageous. They've shown 
the mettle of the pioneers stock we spring from. They've shown that it 
takes more than blinding snow, rising water, snapped power poles, and 
freezing temperature to keep neighbors from helping neighbors. So for 
the next few minutes, I'd like to show you all the devastation Mother 
Nature is creating in my State, and the courage South Dakotans are 
using to face her.
  Places I've been and people I have seen--Mr. Speaker, on the recent 
2-week break I

[[Page H1310]]

had an opportunity to witness firsthand the efforts South Dakotans were 
making in anticipation of the flood. Thanks to the spirit and fortitude 
of our State's leaders, important efforts to prevent serious damage 
were initiated weeks in advance of the terrible recent events. The 
Governor has done an excellent job of coordinating State, Federal, and 
local efforts to control flooding. Unfortunately, some of these efforts 
failed.  
  James River Valley--including dikes built in the Aberdeen area; 
Huron; Mitchell; Yankton. In Mitchell, I visited with Shawn and Darcie 
Winthers who run Sioxland Camp. And their father Don McLean. High winds 
had blown the roof off of a dormitory there. In Pierre, I met with city 
officials and with the Southeast Pierre Homeowners Association. 
Approximately 200 homes have experienced flooding conditions. The city 
has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to build a dyke to help 
divert an overflow of water out of this neighborhood. Watertown--spoke 
with Mayor Brenda Barger today where at one point 5,000 people were 
forced to evacuate their homes and take up temporary residence with 
friends, in hotels, and in even in a public exposition building.


                           people persevering

  Leola--The power went out Sunday at 1:00 a.m. They lost water Sunday 
night at 8:30 p.m. They've been without heat and water for 2 days. They 
wear stocking caps, mittens, and winter jackets to bed as they try to 
fall asleep under the bulk of six or seven blankets. The temperature 
fell to 15 below last night. Every morning they wake up, praying for 
heat while they face another day of cold.
  During the day, people gather at the local fire hall where a 
generator provides the communities only heat. They're pumping water 
from the fire truck to take care of basic needs. The local cafe is 
staying open during this disaster so people can eat. The cafe has a 
propane grill and it's the only place in town where you can get a warm 
meal and a hot cup of coffee.
  Watertown--5,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in the 
midst of a raging blizzard. It will be days or even weeks before people 
are able to get into their homes, look at the damage, dry things out, 
make repairs, and move back in. In the meantime, they're living with 
friends, relatives, in hotels, and in shelters set up in the local 
county ag building.
  Lemmon--In Lemmon, SD, they got 24 inches of snow and had 60-mile-an-
hour winds on Saturday. That's also the day they lost their power. 
Volunteers used snowmobiles, pay loaders, and four wheel drive vehicles 
to move the snow and move people trapped in freezing homes.
  The mayor told me they came to the home of an 89-year-old woman. They 
asked her if she could ride a snowmobile. She said sure she could ride 
a snowmobile, though it would be the first time she'd ever done it. 
People were taken to the nursing home and the local fire hall were a 
generator created heat. Others were taken to private homes with wood-
burning stoves. Neighbors took in neighbors to make sure everyone had 
shelter from the storm.


                       transportation quick facts

  Yesterday, I invited USDOT Secretary Rodney Slater to survey damage 
to the State's transportation infrastructure. He has yet to get a 
response from Slater, but is hopeful that the Secretary will take him 
up on the invitation.
  Highways--As of this morning, 19 sections of State and U.S. highways 
were deemed impassable and closed to traffic. Several other roads have 
water flowing over their surface. One stretch of U.S. 281 just south of 
Redfield near Tulare was under 12 feet of water.
  SDDOT expects to give notice of intent to apply for Emergency Relief 
[ER] funds this week. Inspections by FHWA, SDDOT officials will get an 
assessment of damages to roads and bridges. Those surveys will be 
turned in to FHWA to determine the level of assistance. ER funds can be 
used for Federal aid highways and bridges. FEMA funds can be used for 
local roads and bridges that receive no Federal funds.
  In Redfield, flooding has restricted access from many directions. A 
portion of U.S. 281 south of the town is under 12 feet of water.
  The winter blizzards escalated fiscal year 1997 highway maintenance 
costs to $25.7 million. The State budgeted $5.2 million. FEMA thus far 
has provided $3 million to the State. The proposed temporary increase 
to the State gas tax would have generated between $15 and $16 million.
  Rail, Air and Transit--DM&E and several areas of the State-owned line 
have been washed out by flooding. In Sioux City, State-owned line used 
by BNSF, 900 feet of track was buried by 20 feet of soil that slid off 
of a bluff. In 1993, $1.6 million was provided for rail assistance as a 
result of flooding. Figures for this year are not yet available. 
Several small airports may need assistance as a result of flooding and 
excessively cold temperatures.


                              Agriculture

  Ranchers are braced to take some heavy livestock losses, especially 
among newborn calves. This latest blizzard hit right at calving time.
  Longtime rancher, Bud Jones from Caputa, SD, said he has lost an 
undetermined number of new calves when winds--estimated at 50 to 70 mph 
from Wyoming across western South Dakota--chilled calves already soaked 
by rain that turned to heavy wet snow.
  On top of that, more than 20 yearlings died trapped in a deep snow 
drift along South Dakota Highway 44. That's just what shows sticking 
out of the snow. It could be a week or more before the drift melts and 
reveals what lies buried underneath.
  Bitter winds have compelled some cattle to quit good shelter and 
drift into water holes to stand in deep slush and suffer hypothermia.
  It is too early to estimate the effects this will have on spring 
planting, but it is safe to say our spring crops are in jeopardy--it is 
too wet to plant anything.


                              Electricity

  This disaster is a giant disaster made up of many smaller 
catastrophes.
  The storm started with rain on April 4. Late on the 5th that rain 
started to freeze. Then the wind started gusting to over 60 miles per 
hour. Mother Nature whipped the frozen lines until they swayed and 
snapped and poles broke in half and toppled.
  To make matters worse, a blizzard blew in after the rain. It wasn't 
safe to stay home because there was no heat. It wasn't safe to go out 
because of zero visibility on every road and highway. Then the flood 
waters started to rise.
  Given all these problems it's impossible to say when power may be 
restored again.
  Dedication and perseverance are the only tools that work under the 
circumstances. The downed lines are mired in snow, mud, and water. Only 
four wheel drive vehicles can navigate the mud.
  Some people may be waiting in the cold until this weekend before 
temperatures are restored. Thousand of people are waiting by their 
grandparents old kerosene lamps for the return of heat and light. 
Approximately 1,500 people lost power in the community of Wakpala; 25 
South Dakotans lost electricity in the city of Cam-Wal; and 700 people 
were without power in the town of Long Lake.
  These are just South Dakota rural electric customers. All across the 
State, South Dakotans are making do, waiting for the power to be 
restored.


                                closing

  Although flood waters continue to saturate our State with misery, our 
citizens are holding together. The Dakota spirit is no aberration. 
Though frigid and soaked to the bone it is unmistakably clear during 
these trying times. Every day neighbor helping neighbor endure 
hardship--neither knowing which needs help the most.
  I think of the stories I've been told about the Dirty Thirties--about 
the devastation the drought unleashed upon the Midwest. People who had 
lost all hope found that it was faith that would get them through. Many 
South Dakotans find themselves in similar situations today. They are 
finding their faith provides the only solid foundation to be found.
  I have witnessed the destruction first hand. I have observed children 
and grandparents working side-by-side attempting to restrain the forces 
of nature. They are doing everything they can, but those efforts 
haven't always been enough. The severity of the problem cannot be 
contained. That is why South Dakota and our neighbors must come to the 
rest of the Nation--to ask them to do for us, that which we cannot do 
for ourselves. It is our job here in Washington to look at our 
resources and find a way to meet those most urgent needs.
  The Federal Government has limited resources. I am convinced we can 
find the means to address our most urgent spending priorities.

                          ____________________