A major winter storm has hit two South Dakota reservations, causing power outages and creating a potential crisis.

Power has been out on the Yankton Sioux Reservation since Sunday. A reported 500 people have been forced to leave their homes and are taking shelter at the local gym and at the Yankton Sioux Tribe's casino. Residents and tribal officials say they lacked plans to deal with the emergency and have received little to no federal assistance.

A similar picture emerged on the Crow Creek Sioux Reservation although not as drastic. Residents moved to hotels after the power was cut but most have returned home now that electricity has been restored in some areas. Still, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Duane Big Eagle, who had to leave his home, said people are going to have trouble heating their homes and paying their electric bills this winter.

Get the Story:
Yankton Sioux Seek Shelter (KELO 11/30)
Residents dealing with winter storm in nation's poorest county (AP 11/30)
Rounds: Outages may last weeks (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 12/1)
Utility companies scramble to restore power (AP 12/1)