Snow limiting aid to Arizona reservations

HOLBROOK, Ariz., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- American Indian reservations in Northern Arizona are cut off from road travel by heavy snowfall, prompting aerial deliveries to the region, officials say.

The Arizona Republic said Monday that snowdrifts up to 8 feet high are hindering road travel in Arizona's Apache, Coconino and Navajo counties.

Eric Neitzel, a spokesman for a multi-agency emergency task force in Arizona, said as of the end of last week, nearly 100 supply missions into the three counties had taken place.

Two weeks of thunderstorms brought heavy snow to the counties, including a foot of snow falling on the region last Thursday.

To date, victims left stranded by the inclement weather have received more than 22,000 meals, 125 cots, 2,500 blankets and nearly 27,000 gallons of water.

Tribal officials at Hopi reservations in the region told the Republic that reservation residents have been plagued by collapsing roofs and power outages because of the recent weather.

The poor weather conditions have also grounded a number of supply drops to stranded residents, including 25 helicopter missions reportedly scrapped last Friday.