and as far as I know, it has not made the national news.
Massive snow storms hit the Navajo Nation (straddling Arizona and New Mexico) late in January and again a few days ago. Some places got 52.4 inches and some locations up to eight feet. But at least emergency crews were mobilized to take aid to people and livestock in remote locations.
Snips:
Inclement weather on the Navajo Nation comes with the territory – it rains, it snows, it floods – and residents have learned to prepare for it and hunker down when it happens. But they really got socked this time and it’s not over yet by any means.
“This series of winter storm systems was far from commonplace,” said George Howard of the National Weather Service, the official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reporting station in Flagstaff. “The five day snowfall from Jan. 18 – 23 was over 4-and-a-half feet (54.2 inches) scoring a near record ranking of No. 2 on the all-time excessive snowstorm charts that we’ve kept since 1898. With a powerful cold front continually dropping snow and rainfall, snow levels dropped to unusually low elevations and strong winds caused considerable blowing and drifting snow. Precipitation totals of over 12 inches ranked the third highest of all time.”
President Barack Obama quickly declared that an emergency existed in the state of Arizona and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local efforts. The Navajo and Hopi nations also declared a state of emergency and response actions got underway. “We got hit very hard and while things are moving slowly because of the conditions, we’re working constantly to respond to distress calls and impassable roads,” said tribal spokesperson Selena Manychildren of the Navajo Emergency Operations Center.
“Priorities start with people living in remote areas who are completely snowed in, the elderly, children, those with medical needs, and livestock that are stranded. There are 110 chapters on the reservation and we’re doing the best we can to respond to those in greatest need. BIA, tribal, county and state responders are working together to be most effective and National Guard helicopters are dropping supplies to people in most need in remote areas.”
“Some areas got only a little snowfall while other spots have up to eight feet of snow on the ground, so supplies are being assigned to high impact areas in the higher elevations. A fleet of units ranging from Snow Cats to 4x4’s and deuce and a half trucks are transporting the supplies to those who are stranded.”
Story:
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/83647832.html
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