Summer Storms Continue to Plague the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION – Reports of a storm that caused damages to homes in the Rockyford Community of the Pine Ridge, South Dakota began filtering in to the Tribal President's Office throughout the day on Monday, August 13.

Storms Hit Rockyford Community Again

The Rockyford Community is located on the northern part of the Porcupine District on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has already dealt with the aftereffects of a harsh drought and was earlier this summer hit with storms that have caused severe storms that damaged or destroyed numerous homes.

“I can't believe this, but we got hit again!”

stated Wayne Weston, tribal emergency manager.

"I called the Rockyford School office staff and received confirmation that a storm did hit the Rockyford Community area and caused numerous damages to homes, including the school housing units. I did contact the Chief of Police of the Tribal Department of Public Safety regarding the assessment of the homes that are damaged."

In one case, it was reported that a home that had been damaged in previous storms including the straight-line winds storm of July 21 has been hit again for the third time.

The homeowner stated:
"This is about the third time that our home was damaged. The roof of the trailer was partially torn off from the first storm, then, just when it almost was repaired, the second storm damaged it again. This weekend's storm caused the damaged roof area further damage which allowed rainwater to soak into our home causing damage to the interior of the home. I don't know what else I can do to renovate our home."

The estimated homes that were damaged in this latest storm are unknown at this time.

The dedication of the newly constructed Rockyford School is still scheduled for Wednesday, August 15 beginning with a breakfast at 9:00 am.

posted August 14, 2012 9:20 am edt