Navajo Nation remains snowbound

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Army rations and other supplies are being dropped into the snowbound Navajo Nation, which straddles Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

A five-day storm in late January dumped more than 4 feet of snow on the region. That left many communities in higher areas cut off from the outside world, Indian Country Today reported Thursday.

"Some areas got only a little snowfall while other spots have up to 8 feet of snow on the ground, so supplies are being assigned to high impact areas in the higher elevations," said Lorie Lee, a spokeswoman for emergency responders. "A fleet of units ranging from Snow Cats to 4x4s and deuce-and-a-half trucks are transporting the supplies to those who are stranded."

The National Guard has also been doing airdrops of food.

The Navajo Nation, which covers 26,000 square miles, is home to almost 60 percent of the tribe.

One problem with the meals-ready-to-eat the Guard is dropping is that many older Navajos cannot read the English-only preparation instructions, the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff reported. Selina Manychildren, a spokeswoman for the Emergency Operations Center, said those who ask for "real food" have been told to come to chapter houses to exchange the MREs or get information on how to heat them.