"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN-EM Crew Clearing Roads

"Cherokee Nation Emergency Management crews were in many rural areas of the Cherokee Nation Wednesday clearing roadways blocked with broken trees, due to the ice. Many residents have not had road passage for several days."

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Emergency Management team continued to deliver emergency services and supplies to residents in the tribe’s 14-county jurisdiction, including thousands of gallons of water, cots, generators and other necessities as the state continues to suffer with massive power outages and a critical drinking water supply. In addition, the tribe sent out crews to clear roadways blocked by fallen trees, which have trapped rural residents in their homes since the storm’s onset.

Tribal health care centers and clinics were operational on Wednesday in Muskogee, Nowata, Bartlesville, Vinita, Stilwell and Sallisaw. All clinics will be open on Thursday, including clinics in Salina and Jay, which have been closed because of power outages.

“Our Emergency Management teams have been operating around the clock providing services and necessities to not only Cherokee citizens, but to all residents in these devastated areas,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. “We will continue to have crews operating for the next several days.”

Cherokee Nation crews were out Wednesday clearing roadways, cluttered with trees and ice, allowing passage for the first time since the storm began. Additional water and supplies will be delivered to emergency hub areas on Thursday.

Many living in the extreme rural areas have been completely devastated by the storm and are continuing to go without water and power. The opening of all tribal health care facilities will be a welcome relief.

“The Jay and Salina clinics have been closed for the lack of electricity and water since Monday,” said Mike Pruitt, regional clinic director for Cherokee Nation Health Services. “We will be resuming business as usual in all Cherokee Nation clinics beginning Thursday.”

Cherokee Nation Emergency Management officials are encouraging residents to boil their tap water once water service is restored to kill the harmful bacteria and parasites which may have entered the water supply due to non-functioning water purification systems. In addition, residents are advised to only use bottled, boiled or treated water until local supplies are tested and found to be safe.

Tribal officials are still encouraging those without power to utilize the shelters established for their respective areas. People living within the Cherokee Nation can call the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, phone: 866-456-9224 for information on shelters, status of tribal health clinics or other emergency information for their areas.