Kyrene Corridor and other Valley horse owners are being asked to help provide emergency supplies to help feed livestock endangered by recent storms in and around Arizona’s Indian reservations.
Impassable roads and snowdrifts up to eight feet in some places has created a need for resources and hay among those living in remote areas on Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation lands.
Both have identified a combined need for 4,750 bales of “cow hay” (grass) to feed livestock. The White Mountain Apache Tribe has sufficient hay, but needs help moving 600 bales from separate locations near the town of Whiteriver.
People able to donate hay, transport or both should contact the State Emergency Call Center at the statewide phone number, 1-877-464-1144.
Donors are asked to supply transportation of hay contributions if at all possible. Road conditions in some areas may require a four-wheel-drive vehicle for safe delivery.
“The State Incident Management Team in Holbrook has done a professional job in moving survival needs by land and air to those removed from resources and services,” said Lou Trammell, director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management.
“Now there’s a need for hay for livestock. Livestock is a source of sustainable food and a livelihood for some on the reservations, so it’s imperative that we work cooperatively to sustain those assets.”
Since Jan. 25, Operation Winter Storm in Holbrook has delivered 22,400 meals, 26,750 gallons of water, 4,500 Red Cross blankets and 100 cots to the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation.
The State Emergency Call Center remains open to take public inquiries about the damage assessment process, reports of disaster-related damage and, now, of offers of gifts and services. The center is staffed by live operators 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Preliminary Damage Assessments for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance of affected counties are ongoing. PDAs are conducted in the field, where assessors can tour and gauge the damage caused to residential and commercial properties and public infrastructure.
Visit the Arizona Emergency Information Network website, www.azein.gov, for incident information, including links to the recovery resources.
