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    Posted January 28, 2010 by
    KLavaux |
    Location
    Eagle Butte, South Dakota
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    Wintry weather near you

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    Native American Disaster Overshadowed By Haiti

    By KLavaux  |  Posted January 28, 2010  |  Eagle Butte, South Dakota
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     KLavaux says the frozen weather in South Dakota has taken out local utilities and in particular her phone service. Area residents are living without heat in freezing temperatures, she says.
    - nsaidi, CNN iReport producer

    Ice and snow that began January 20, 2010 wrecked havoc on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation located in South Dakota, causing power lines to snap under the weight of the ice. Within hours 50+mph polar winds blasted through the area, shattering thousands of utility poles, leaving residents devastated and without heat in sub-zero weather.

     

    The ice storm was followed by four days of 50+mph frigid polar winds which ripped through the reservation snapping utility poles like tooth picks. Eight days later, the entire reservation Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation (South Dakota) is still without electric.

     

    CRST is receiving help from nearby power companies. Donations of food, blankets and fuel are pouring in. Well wishes from neighboring tribes have been received.

     

    Native Americans question if major media have purposely ignored the disaster in order to direct public attention to Haiti instead.

     

     

     

    For information on how you can help, please call the CRST Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at:   (605) 964-1313 and (605) 964-1314



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