Important Phone Numbers
FEMA Helpline - 800-525-0321 (TTY: 800-660-8005) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
SBA Information - 800-366-6303 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
IFG Helpline - 800-932-4027 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Project Heartland - 800-691-4336
Red Cross - 888-238-9400 (TTY: 800-877-1113).
S.D. Housing Authority - 800-540-4241.
Building Permits Now Available
Now that zoning regulations have been approved, Spencer residents can now pick up building permit applications at the city offices located in the temporary bank building. Permits are required for homes, garages, new foundations, fences and other new building projects.
The fee structure for the permits follows:
| Construction Value |
Cost of Permit |
| Less than $1000 |
$10 |
| $1001-$5000 |
$20 |
| $5001-$20000 |
$30 |
| $20001-$50000 |
$50 |
| More than $50000 |
$75 |
| Sewer or Water Connection |
$35 |
Trees Available
The Davison County Conservation District is offering small, conservation-grade trees to Spencer residents at no charge. Those interested may call Steve at (605) 996-7140, ext. 202.
Red Cross Assistance Available
Assistance with food, clothing, rent and some other basic needs, is available at the Red Cross Service Center located in McCook Central School in Salem. The center has moved from the Middle School Gymnasium to the Cafeteria. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Red Cross can be reached toll-free at 888-238-9400 (TTY: 800-877-1113).
FEMA Disaster Aid Deadline Nears; Use Helpline to Update Application
The Deadline to apply for state and federal disaster assistance is July 31. If you were affected by the disaster and have not registered for assistance, do so by calling 800-462-9029. If you need to update your application, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-525-0321.
Sheriff Has Some Recovered Items
Most of the clothing and other personal items that were recovered from Spencer are being cleaned and will be available at some point in the future. However, a few items found soon after the May 30 tornado were turned in to the McCook County Sheriff and may be picked up at his office in the courthouse. Included are money, savings bonds, jewelry, photos and other personal items.
Project Heartland Activities
Counselors from McKennan Hospital will be in the area conducting stress relief workshops for senior citizens who survived the Spencer tornado. They will be visiting Colonial Manor in Salem Monday, July 20 and Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell Tuesday, July 21. Both sessions begin at 2 p.m. The programs include education about stress management, root beer floats and entertainment by guitarist Jim Wooster.
Legal Services Available
The South Dakota State Bar Association, 800-952-2333, offers free disaster legal services. Services include assistance with lost documents, powers of attorney, home repair contracts and insurance claims. When calling the toll-free number, please identify yourself as a resident of McCook or Hanson counties.
Tidbits
- House for Sale - Three-bedroom home with attached garage in Salem. Call (605) 425-2195.
- Crisis Counseling - Individual counseling is available at no cost by calling Project Heartland at 800-691-4336.
- Free pet boarding - Will pick up for you. Call (605) 371-3791.
- Job Offer - Bus Driver for McCook Central Schools, will train. Call (605) 425-2973.
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Crisis Counseling Available
Free counseling is available to anyone affected by the May 30 tornado. Counselors can be reached at Project Heartland (800-691-4336). Counselors are also available through Catholic Family Services at 800-700-7867. Locations are in Mitchell and Sioux Falls.
Salvation Army Closes Distribution Center
The Salvation Army Distribution Center, in Mitchell closed Sunday after a three-day rummage sale. For emergency needs, disaster survivors can contact the Salvation Army in Mitchell at (605) 996-3964.
Housing Information
Information about programs administered by the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is available by calling 800-540-4241. One source is the Governor’s Affordable Senior Housing Program, which provides two-bedroom homes to persons with disabilities and those who are 62 or older for just under $20,000. Buyers must provide their own land for the 768-square-foot, wood-frame structures. One of the Governor’s homes will be on display at the Sioux Falls Fairgrounds through the Empire Fair.
Another program enables Spencer residents to rent apartments through Oct. 1 for just a $25 deposit and $25 per month. There are no income qualifications, but the rental must meet Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards. Call FEMA or SDHDA for information.
Unmet Needs
The Spencer Area Recovery & Interfaith Network (SARIN) has resources available to help tornado survivors with unmet needs. Spencer residents can apply by calling Interlakes Community Action at (605) 425-2271 or by writing: P.O. Box 207, Salem, SD 57058.
Spencer Recovery News
The Spencer Recovery News will now be distributed weekly on Wednesdays. If you have ideas or information for the newsletter, call 605-995-7014 in Mitchell.
Recovery News Available at:
Spencer – Newsstand (near mailboxes), Security Bank (temporary location), Burns Bros. Truck Stop Salem – Post Office, Red Cross Center, Drive-In Café, McCook County Courthouse Mitchell – Salvation Army Distribution Center
Sunday Service in Spencer
Trinity Lutheran Church will hold a worship service at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Spencer City Park. All are welcome, but need to bring chairs.
Surveying Services
The engineering firm of Schmucker, Paul, Nohr & Associates is offering Spencer residents free surveying services for one year. Call 605-996-7761 for more information.
Homeowners Urged to Make
Plans Known
At a meeting on Monday, June 15, the governor began asking Spencer property owners about their rebuilding plans. That process has been taken over by the town of Spencer, which is receiving technical assistance from the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG).
The town and SECOG would like to know whether owners plan to rebuild and whether they would be willing to trade lots, so that redevelopment can be clustered instead of scattered. Property-owners who have yet to express their intentions can do so by contacting Trustee Donna Ruden in Spencer or by calling Alec Boyce or Aaron Fischbach at SECOG in Sioux Falls, (605) 367-5390.
--------------------CUT--------------------
Name_______________________
Do you plan to rebuild in
Spencer?
_____ Yes _____ No
Would you be willing to
trade your lot?
_____ Yes _____ No
--------------------CUT--------------------
Cut out and bring to temporary city office or mail to:
ATTN: Donna Ruden,
PO Box 199,
Spencer, SD, 57374
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