I am writing in search of a generator (5500-6500 watts) to help my family in South Dakota. Last week, they were hit by an ice storm with high winds that snapped over 1100 telephone poles and damaged the electrical transmitter for the town of Eagle Butte and many other neighboring communities. The only means of communicating is by cell phones (if you have a car charger) as land lines are also down. All businesses and schools have been without electricity for a week that has affected over 10,000 people in the central and western parts of the state.  They are saying that it could take the next 7-10 days before electricity and land lines are restored.

     My mom is the only one with propane heat so she has 2 other families staying with her now. They are running the gas burners for heat and are in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.  If you have a generator that you could donate, I may have someone who will pay for the shipping costs. I called all farm and hardware stores in the SD and surrounding areas but they are all sold out. There is a shipment of 80 to arrive this week and my mom is number 84 on the list so she won’t be able to get one. Please check within your circles too as I would be most grateful and appreciative.

     Best,

    Carolyn
 

 http://www.farmforum.net/node/16999             http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9DER22G0.htm
 

Thank you (Pilamaya)  

It’s hard to believe that the housing department in areas like SD reservations would build so many housing communities that are “all electric”. Thankfully my mom has propane but her pilot light is electric ignition only so it can’t be lit manually! She’s been using her stove top burners for heat which seems so dangerous to me but better than nothing. She has 2 other families with her.  I heard that Walmart from Pierre,  SD brought water, water filters, candles, flashlight, batteries for approx. 200 people but hundreds went without. Once I get the $500 for a generator, I’ll send monies to Benita Clark, Tribal Treasurer who is coordinating efforts for the CRST community:

 
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe

ATTN: Benita Clark, Treasurer

PO Box 590

Eagle Butte, SD 57625

cell: 605-200-1013

Here is an article from the Rapid City Journal that says they are now without water….thankfully, there is snow that can be melted down.

Peace, Carolyn Rittenhouse
 

Subject: Re: Generator Needed

Carolyn found a generator that costs around $500. 

An update… 

The National Guard finally showed up yesterday and there is talk of evacuating the 11,000 people in my family’s community to neighboring towns. They are 1 of 4 counties that are without electricity. My mom was in good spirits and they have all been working together and being very resourceful.  In their community alone, there are over 3,000 poles down and they are having difficulty getting replacement poles and have to work in frigid temps 0-15 degrees so there is talk of it being another week & half to 2 weeks! I can’t believe it.  Thanks again. ~Carolyn

    From: Carolyn.Rittenhouse@millersville.edu