President Obama signed a Presdiential Disaster Declaration yesterday for 12 counties and two American Indian reservations in South Dakota which were devastated by a blizzard in December 2009.

Communities receiving federal funds include Campbell, Clay, Gregory, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, Perkins, Shannon, Todd, Tripp, Turner and Yankton counties, as well as Pine Ridge and Rosebud American Indian reservations.

Disaster declarations authorize the federal government to pay 75% of damages. The State of South Dakota will pay 10%, leaving the remaining 15% of financial responsibility at the hands of property owners.