Townships in South Dakota are facing economic difficulties as 2019 flood repair costs mount.

Townships primarily depend on their taxpayers for funds to repair more than 31,000 miles of roads while they wait to be repaid by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. South Dakota Towns and Townships Association officials say townships have received $544,000 from FEMA for disasters that caused around $31.6 million in damages.

Vermillion River flooding caused an estimated $250,0000 in damage in Turner Township. Officials say the township took out a $200,000 bank loan to pay for repairs while awaiting FEMA money.