SWO Emergency Management

04/01/2026

Join us today for the Native Governance Center's Tribal Governance Support Webinar: "Caring for Our Relatives: Tribal Emergency Management." Hear from a panel of Tribal Emergency Managers, including Jim Pearson, Director of Emergency Management for Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. Webinar is scheduled April 1, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM CST.

Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/ycx9njh4

Join us for an inspiring conversation on Tribal Emergency Management—we’ll explore how Native nations strengthen preparedness and coordinate effective responses during severe weather events.

What to expect:
–Speakers from a variety of roles in Tribal emergency management, sharing stories and strategies
–Examples of how Native nations are strengthening emergency preparedness
–Practical steps YOU can take to support Tribal emergency management

Wednesday, April 1st
11:00 – 12:30 PM CST
➡️ Register today: https://support.nativegov.org/event/caring-for-our-relatives-tribal-emergency-management/e781539

03/27/2026

WIND ADVISORY
Begins: Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Expires: Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM
MODERATE

GUIDANCE
Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

RED FLAG WARNING
Begins: Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Expires: Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 9:00 PM
SEVERE
WIND ADVISORY
MODERATE

GUIDANCE
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?x=299&y=64&site=abr&zmx=&zmy=&map_x=299&map_y=64

03/22/2026

Early this morning, SWO Law Enforcement responded to a report of a vehicle fire at a residence in Long Hollow. Sisseton and Claire City Fire Departments deployed efforts to contain the fire before it spread to neighboring structures. Fire response returned to address potential rekindled fire later in the afternoon and crews remained on scene, working to assist and overhaul to prevent further incident.

Cain Robertson has been receiving ongoing care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and returned home with his family late last night. The Robertson/Medina Tiwahe have suffered a devastating loss of their family home along with all of their belongings, vehicles, and their cherished Sunka, Kenai.

If you wish to help assist the family, monetary donations will be accepted through Cain Robertson's Cash App. Physical donations of clothing items, groceries, toiletries and other immediate necessities are welcomed and may be delivered to SWO Law Enforcement/Emergency Management offices.

We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our local first responders, fire departments, who responded and worked alongside us today.​​ Thank you to our voluntary organizations aiding in disaster (VOADs), the American Red Cross’ Disaster Assistance Team volunteers who traveled to provide assistance to both families affected this evening. In addition to Katy’s Closet for the gracious donations. Monday Katy’s closet will hold a fundraiser, 15% of all proceeds will be donated to the families.

03/11/2026

Emergency Management continues to provide case management support for members affected by FEMA Disaster #4890 – Severe Storms & Flooding on the Lake Traverse Reservation.

Our assistance includes answering questions, reviewing and uploading estimates, filing appeals, and submitting required documents.

Due to the high volume of affected household applicants, we aim to facilitate timely assistance, we kindly encourage you to schedule an appointment utilizing the form link provided below.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we manage Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate historic first ever Presidential Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance and Individual Assistance.

Follow the link to complete the form case management for renters and homeowners.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiq-FW6LVKMtBjPTQeiIbWyM5Vyqhbl9-MRGABKgPse_AjmQ/viewform

01/23/2026

Dangerously cold temperatures are expected across Lake Traverse Area. Please take the necessary precautions to ensure your preparedness at home and in your daily routines. This includes ensuring appropriate winter attire is worn while traveling, having sufficient propane and firewood on hand, and bringing your animals indoors and stocking up with your household essentials.

Please remember in order to help others, you must protect yourself first, then check on your family, and other vulnerable community members.

This information post includes:
• SWO EMS Weather Alert
• Preparing for Extreme Cold Safety Guidance
--Preparedness Guidance: Personal, Home, Heating Safety, and Animal Preparedness
• National Weather Service, Aberdeen Advisories
• Emergency Resources - Utility, SWHA, and EMS

Please check on elders, children, and any vulnerable relatives who may need additional support during this extreme cold.

Emergency assistance is available 24/7 through SWO Law Enforcement Dispatch:
(605) 698-7661 or Call 911 for immediate emergencies.

To Report Weather Related Incidents follow the link: https://forms.gle/YDia8RSdAnYjdcVL6

Please stay warm, travel safely, and take care of one another. Community safety is our priority.

01/21/2026

In addition to the Winter Weather and Wind Advisories:
A Strong Extreme Cold Watch has been issued from 6 PM Thursday through 3 PM Friday.

Please take the necessary precautions to ensure your preparedness at home and in your daily routines. This includes ensuring appropriate winter attire is worn while traveling, having sufficient propane and firewood on hand, and bringing your animals indoors and stocking up with your household essentials.

Summary & Forecast Confidence:
Light snow and strong winds will once again impact the region Wednesday, reducing visibility at times and leading to hazardous travel conditions, especially during the Wednesday morning commute. Total snow accumulations up to an inch are expected but strong northwest winds gusting between 35 and 50 mph will blow the snow and reduce visibility.

Friday morning, wind chills between -40 and -45 degrees will be possible. At these temperatures, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

Timing:
Light snow will move into central and northeast SD shortly after sunrise Wednesday and continue through the early afternoon hours.

Winds will increase early Wednesday morning and be strongest during the mid-morning through the late afternoon.

Wind chills will dip below the -20 degree mark around 6 PM Thursday and continue to decrease through the overnight hours.

Impacts:
Winds will make travel difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. High winds may blow loose objects, damage property and cause power outages. Where falling snow and strong winds coincide, visibilities could significantly drop. Snow may also make roads slick, so use caution if traveling! Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

01/21/2026

A Winter Weather Advisory and Wind Advisory has been issued for northeast SD into west central MN for Wednesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

01/02/2026

Public Service Announcement
Re: Continued Water Outage - UNIDENTIFIED LEAK
Affected Areas: Crawfordsville, Rehab Village, Agency Village, Barker Hill, Little Crow Drive, Two Star Lane, and surrounding Goodwill area.
Number of households impacted: Estimated 100+ households without water or very low pressure.

Water Use Alert - Conservation Required
LTUC update the reservoir is currently experiencing an ongoing water shortage for an extended duration of up to 24 hours due to prolonged replenishment delays and persistent interruptions. Consequently, there will be a moratorium on household water usage during this period.

As water levels increase refrain from using household water unless emergency. Please utilize the water distribution potable and drinking water available at the SWO Property and Supply Building at the WEST GATE.

Please take a moment to assist those in need. Check on those who may not have transportation, and if you’re able, offer to help them with pickups or deliveries.

(2)5gallon buckets available for potable water, unfortunately lids were not available.
Limit 2 buckets, and 1 case of drinking water per household.

UPDATE 9:15PM: Water Use Alert - Conservation Required remains in effect. Water Use Water distribution at SWO Property & Supply Building will end at 10:00 PM tonight. Water distribution will resume tomorrow morning, Friday, January 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM.
We will provide updates as they are provided from LTUC. We will canvas throughout the impacted households to deliver water to families in need tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.

UPDATE 9:15AM:
LTUC Teams worked through the night to identify leaks, an unidentified leak remains to be found.

Please check every structure in the following areas: Crawfordsville, Rehab Village, Agency Village, Barker Hill, Little Crow Drive, Two Star Lane, and surrounding Goodwill.

We are working to cover commercial buildings, please check basements, exterior pipes or water lines on all structures, this leak is up to 50 gallons a minute, if its not flooding it is running water.
To Report Leak (605) 268 -0835 or (605) 698-4821

Water Distribution Station:
Property & Supply Building West garage
Potable + Drinking water, containers provided limit.
Water delivery request call: (605) 419-1028 or (605) 419-9001

UPDATE 10:04AM
LTUC has identified the leak, and is working to isolate the incident area at SWC. The recovery time is expected to replenish the levels, thank you for your patience, please continue to call for water delivery or come to Property & Supply Bldg at the west entrance for food, drinking water, and potable water

01/01/2026

Public Service Announcement
Re: Agency Village Water Outage

Water Use Alert - Conservation Required
The Lake Traverse Utility Commission (LTUC) reports a significant water level decrease, during refill from 3 ft to 1.5 ft depth, which has subsequently led to extreme depletion due to excessive usage during the critical refill period.

We request that all residents in Agency Village and surrounding area immediately limit water use.

Please utilize potable and drinking water available at the designated water distribution point located at the SWO Property and Supply Building Northside garage tarped entrance. Please bring your own containers.

Update 2:00PM:
We are in the process of securing 2 pallets of 5 gallon buckets and 2 pallets of drinking water to accommodate the affected areas of Crawfordsville, Rehab Village, Agency Village, Barker Hill, Little Crow Drive, Two Star Lane, and surrounding Goodwill area.

Update 3:45PM:
En route returning with the buckets & water, after all is unloaded at Property & Supply Bldg, we will then go pick up the second water tank to fill and return to northside water distribution center until 10PM.

Update 5:30PM:
Property and Supply is currently at Sisseton Fire Dept. filling the second 500 gallon tank. This next tank will be set up at the WEST GATE.
2 5gallon buckets available unfortunately without lids (2 per house, 1 case of water)

Please note, when the tank at the north gate is empty, potable water will resume at the West gate.

12/31/2025

Public Service Announcement:

Emergency Management is aware of the current water outage affecting Agency Village area. We are currently working on providing access to potable water and drinking water for those affected.

We will update this post with the distribution point as soon as it is ready.

Update 5:45PM:
Water distribution Point - SWO Property and Supply building (North of the SWO Administration Building)

Use the North entrance, knock on the garage door if closed, water distribution will be accessible until 10:00PM.

BRING YOUR OWN CONTAINER FOR POTABLE WATER
WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE ONE CASE OF WATER PER HOUSEHOLD FOR THE NIGHT.

Update 6:35PM:
Inquiries regarding New Years Eve festivities, Hanpa Apena at Veterans Memorial Youth Center and NYE
Wacipi at SWO Administration Building are both reporting to continue as scheduled please contact respected event coordinators for further information.

Updated 10:40 AM: Water Use Alert - Conservation Required
The Lake Traverse Utility Commission (LTUC) reports a significant water level decrease, during refill from 1.5 feet to 3 feet, which has subsequently led to depletion due to excessive usage during the critical refill period. We request that all residents in Agency Village and surrounding area immediately limit water use.
Please utilize potable and drinking water available at the designated water distribution point located at the SWO Property and Supply Building.

12/18/2025

NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning.
Impacts anticipated snowfall, blowing snow and extreme wind gusting up to 60-70mph that will reduce visibilities throughout the Praries, Coteau and Sisseton Hills area. Conditions could deteriorate to with poor visibilities with the potential to deteriorate throughout the day between 6AM to 3PM

Please travel safe and take necessary precautions if possible.