Obama declares disaster on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – President Barack Obama has declared a disaster for the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, which suffered severe damage from storms, straight-line winds and flooding in May.

The president signed the disaster declaration Friday. The move makes federal aid available to members of the tribe on the reservation affected by the storms that hit the area between May 8 and May 29.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs. Members can also seek low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. Other programs can help business owners recover from the damage caused by the storms.

Gary Stanley has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the area.