Pine Ridge Indian Reservation faces water restrictions after winter storm leaves thousands trapped

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Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is now facing a water shortage in the wake of a winter storm that left thousands trapped. Bismarck, North Dakota NBC affiliate KFYR reports that the Oglala Sioux Tribe issued water restrictions on Monday and that officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be arriving this week, prompted by the dangerous conditions that isolated Pine Ridge, which is still being dug out by residents and the National Guard.

Some residents went without electricity during the storm, instead using up propane and whatever firewood (or burnable material) was available to survive the two weeks of sub-zero temperatures bringing ice and snow. Basic necessities were a major concern, as there was a firewood shortage but frequently no safe way for outside communities, groups, and nonprofits to safely get to Pine Ridge. Conditions simply made it impossible to even break down the firewood, much less transport it.

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