The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) has been without electricity and water since January 22. State, local, and tribal agencies have responded to CRST’s State of Emergency as well as individuals and philanthropists. However, the reservation is still digging out from the snow, and residents are braving bitter cold temperatures without heat and water.
Nine-thousand of fifteen-thousand CRST members are affected.
Terry Woster, Public Information Officer for the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, said today, “It may be two to three weeks before FEMA can assess the damage on the reservation.” Woster added FEMA workers were on the reservation today. After that, Federal funds can then be granted.
In the meantime, Moreau-Grand Electric Cooperative crews continue working in dangerous situations. according to today’s press release. The damaged utility pole count is estimated at more than 2,500 of the cooperative’s 3,800 total poles they maintain.
Here is today’s update from the cooperative.
1. “Keldron/Morristown area: Crews continue today reconstructing a main 3-phase feeder line. Percentage of completion to our residential members is approximately 80 percent.
2. McLaughlin/Wakpala area: Crews are working on individual outages. Percentage of restoration to our residential members in this area is approximately 99 percent.
3. Glad Valley/Isabel/ Timber Lake/Trail City area: Crews are working on individual outages. Percentage of restoration to our residential members in this area is approximately 99 percent.
4. Parade/Ridgeview/La Plant area: Transmission line providing electricity to the Ridgeview substation was restored Sunday evening at approximately 8:30 pm. Crews are focusing efforts on the main feeder lines.
5. Eagle Butte: Crews are working on feeder lines, single-phase lines and individual outages. Percentage of restoration to our residential members in this area is approximately 95 percent.
6. Lantry area: Crews are working on a main feeder line going south of Lantry. Crews hope to have power restored to most residential members Wednesday/Thursday.
7. Dupree area: Crew focus in the Dupree area is to have the majority of residential members restored Tuesday, February 2. Percentage of restoration to our residential members in this area is approximately 90 percent.
8. Takini/Red Scaffold/Cherry Creek areas: Storm damage in this area was minimal. Percentage of restoration to our residential members in this area is approximately 99 percent.”
Donations are still vehemently needed. Please view my previous article for information and visit the Bush Foundation website. The foundation will match donations, dollar for dollar, for a maximum of $25, 000 dollars.
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