By Maj. Brendan Murphy
South Dakota National Guard
When meteorologists predicted more than a foot of snow, high winds and impossible travel across South Dakota in the days before Christmas, Guardmembers here prepared and waited to respond. “Our job was to get snow removal equipment where it was needed, or potentially needed,” said Col. Scott Jacobson, director of operations for the South Dakota Army Guard, just before the record-breaking winter storm hit.
The South Dakota Guard awaited the support request from the emergency management agency as the state braced itself for a blanket of snow, wind and freezing temperatures during the Christmas weekend.
Meteorologists had predicted a foot of snow or more, high winds and virtually impossible travel across the state.
Winter storm warnings and travel advisories were issued. The state’s emergency operations center in Pierre requested support from the National Guard. Gov. Mike Rounds issued a state of emergency Dec. 22.
Guard officials prepositioned equipment and notified personnel to stand ready to assist with snow removal from the state’s roads and highways.
The storm made its way into the Black Hills and the plains and delivered on meteorologists’ predictions.
Higher elevations in the Black Hills received up to 40 inches of snow while the eastern part of the state reported accumulations ranging from one to two feet. Rapid City reported wind gusts up to 76 mph.
The Guard’s Rapid City Task Force 109 dispatched snow blowers, dozers and dump trucks. More than 80 Soldiers from TF109 assisted the Department of Transportation with snow removal missions.
They formed “blade teams” consisting of various heavy-equipment that worked statewide in snow removal operations.
Guard teams also delivered six, 20-ton truckloads of firewood to the citizens of the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations.
At least 30 South Dakota Guard members remain in storm response operations in support of state agencies.
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