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INTERVIEWS AND PRESS ARTICLES
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NNDNnews
www.NDNnews.com and Native Village News http://www.nativevillage.org/Link%20Center/November%202008%20SD%20State%20of%20Emergency.htm November 8, 2008: South Dakota Declared State of Emergency Emergency Press Release URGENT UPDATE: Blizzard slams the Black Hills and Lakota Rez’s by Tamra Brennan, www.NDNnews.com Whitewood, South Dakota: On Wednesday afternoon, areas of Western South Dakota were slammed with a major blizzard that lasted thru Thursday. The storm left thousands of people stranded and without power and heating. Winds were clocked at 105 miles per hour in some areas and remained at 60-80 mph throughout the 24 hour period. Areas of the Black Hills had snow drifts of over 20 feet in some areas. Record amounts of snowfall for one day, fell in the Hills. Temperatures with the wind chill were just above zero. Many of the rez's were also hit hard including Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Cheyenne River and no word about Standing Rock, or others further east as of yet. There are still hundreds of people on the rez's without power and heating and many roads still un-plowed. The frustrating part is, the media gave us no warnings in the days prior, about this blizzard. They kept referring to 2-3 inches of snow on Thursday, nothing about a blizzard until it was already upon us and too late. This left people completely unprepared for what was to come. With the proper warning, folks could have gotten out of the countryside and into town until it was over. My power was out for almost three days, my house was 45 degrees. Luckily enough in my case, power was restored this morning. However, there are elders and folks with small children on the rez's that endured this cold and still are. Some elderly that are on oxygen and/or dialysis, were having to go without because of no power and no way to travel. During the three days of being stranded, I sat and listened to the radio and was disgusted about the lack of coverage on what was happening in the countryside. Everything seemed to focus on Rapid City. It was like we didn't exist. The lack of coverage prior to the storm and lack of coverage afterwards was unacceptable. The Rapid City Journal posted an article about the blizzard warring only after it had already started to hit us. I have spoken to many locals in the area that are just appalled by the lack of info provided prior to the storm. I called one of the radio stations and expressed my frustration. I was told they felt they covered it as thoroughly as they could; they were not meteorologists to predict the weather. My response was, if a major blizzard was headed right at us, they should have been covering it at every break, to warn folks. They took my suggestions and said they would pass it along to all their sister stations. They didn't seem too concerned, honestly. Some great mentality which we rely on to get this critical info out to the public! So, it's not going to end here, I am going to write a op-ed and submit it to the media and see what their response is. However, power has been restored to some homes although I'm told about 2,000 homes still are without electricity. I have been working with the American Red Cross since yesterday to try to get help for those on oxygen or needing dialysis. Those are the most critical needs beyond the obvious need for heat. Unfortunately, the Red Cross cannot go onto the rez unless invited by the Tribal Council.... which didn't happen yesterday. However, they did network with the county sheriff's office who tried to reach Pine Ridge to assess the needs yesterday. Unfortunately, they couldn't get through the roads to do this. But today, the Governor of South Dakota declared a State of Emergency for all those counties. I-90 has finally been re-opened. The Governor's action has enabled the Office of Emergency Preparedness and the American Red Cross to act. Starting on the north end of Pine Ridge, this morning the Office of Emergency Preparedness began to airlift out anyone with critical medical needs or who are on oxygen. The first community was Wanblee and they hope to expand to the other communities like Evergreen, Porcupine, Manderson, etc as the day goes on. The Red Cross will also go in today with blankets and supplies as are needed and as they are able to access the various areas. They will be following behind the plows. They will also be working very closely with the various government agencies. This was all very good news, particularly since more snow is forecast for Monday. The crisis is far from over but at least attempts are being made. And that is hopeful. Best Wishes, -steph Stephanie M. Schwartz |