January 28, 2010: Severe Ice Storms and Freezing Temperatures Have Knocked Down 3,000 Utility Poles. Tribal Residents Have Been Without Electricity, Heat and Running Water for Six Days.
EAGLE BUTTE, S.D. -- The Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe has declared a State of Emergency in central South Dakota, an Indian reservation approximately the size of Connecticut with nearly 15,000 Tribal members. The Tribe is still awaiting Presidential disaster declaration.
Days of ice storms and strong winds have downed over 3,000 utility poles across the reservation. Thousands of already impoverished tribal residents have been without electricity or heat for five days, with wind chill factors well below zero. Experts estimate it may be as long as a month before all areas have electricity restored.
"Making matters worse," said Tribal Chairman Joe Brings Plenty, "the loss of electricity has also knocked out the Reservation s aging water system. We have no running water on the entire Reservation, it is also affecting of Reservation communities such as Faith, whose water is supplied from pipes running through the Reservation."
HELP NEEDED!
More information: DISASTER DECLARED ON THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA by Larry Smith | | More on American Indian Airwaves (February 1, 2010, 8pm). Listen here
DISASTER DECLARED ON THE CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA