12,000 Without Power

The South Dakota Rural Electric reports 12,000 people are without power this morning and 6,000 poles are on the ground. The hardest hit area is West River near the Cheyenne River Reservation. The state is sending more than 40 generators to places around the state to help with power problems.

The National Guard is helping with efforts in Eagle Butte and Timberlake. Several shelters have been set up around the state. Ed Anderson with the South Dakota Rural Electric Coop says he's received dozens of calls from out-of-state crews volunteering to help get the power back on.

Nearly 200 line workers with 15 cooperatives are out.  They are receiving help from 130 line workers from other electric cooperatives in South Dakota and Minnesota and from municipal utilities and private contractors.

Some areas of the state will be without power into next week.

The public is reminded to stay away from downed power lines and to never attempt to drive across a downed line. Please report any downed lines immediately to your local utility or to law enforcement.

We have a crew on the way to the Cheyenne River Reservation.  We'll the latest updates on KELOLAND News at 6 & 10 and also right here at KELOLAND.com.