Provides assistance after a personal or small-scale catastrophic events such as fire, flooding, and storm damage. Rapid assistance is deployed when evacuation is required ahead of an arriving storm or ordered due to a critical incident event. Post disaster services are also available for recovery of food, uniforms and family needs, temporary lodging, and insurance deductibles.

Works with Union County residents to develop individual disaster recovery plans, including support with food, building materials, appliances, rehousing services and emotional support.

High winds left widespread damage across the Black Hills. In addition to this storm, there is the Greyhound Fire. Pennington County has information HERE. All requests for non-emergency assistance should be routed to the Red Cross at 605-342-4010 Greyhound Fire SD Hwy 40 is open to public traffic. Please be advised that firefighters and emergency vehicles are still actively working along the roadway. Public safety officials urge drivers to avoid this route unless absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of the crews on the scene." Containment continues High Wind Event There are still large numbers of people in the area without power. Power may not be fully restored until Sunday (3 days). Check on neighbors and loved ones, especially older adults or those who may need extra help. Consider staying with friends or family who have power - especially if you have electricity-dependent medical devices. Limit opening refrigerators/freezers - a full freezer may stay frozen 12-48 hours, but refrigerated food may reach unsafe temperatures in as little as 4 hours. Pay attention to the weather forecast for your location and know what freezing temps may mean for you if you don't have power. Downed trees and power lines, power outages, icy roads sometimes blocked by debris from high winds remain a problem in Pennington County. - If using a portable generator, please see safety considerations HERE Assume any downed powerline is energized, do not try to remove debris if it is laying on a power line. The Keystone Senior Center (517 1st St.) has power and is open to serve local residents. Storm Damage - Click HERE to access a form that will allow you to report damage to your home or business from the December 18th high wind event Large trees and other items damaged in the storm should be brought to the Rapid City Landfill Two remote tree debris disposal sites will be open from 7:00am - 4:00pm, Thursday, December 18, 2025 - Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium and West Boulevard North. These sites are meant for residential tree debris only.

A national grant assistance program that provides financial assistance to eligible American Legion Auxiliary members who are impacted by a natural disaster or in a time of financial crisis. Disaster Assistance: Applicants must either received damage to their primary residence, been displaced/evacuated from their residence or experienced basic out-of-pocket emergency expenses. Hardship Assistance: Applicants have to have past due expenses related to their primary residence and/or basic household utilities. Grants are awarded for $3,000 per grantee and one grant (disaster or hardship) will be awarded in a 12-month period.