Many homes on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota have been without power for more than a week because of an ice storm that knocked down utility lines and damaged the water system.

Crews have restored electricity to most communities on the sprawling reservation, but about 1,500 homes in outlying areas are without power and could be for weeks, tribal officials said. As they worked to distribute blankets and food to those in need, tribal officials said they were grateful that the outcome of the storm, which struck on Jan. 21, was not worse.

“I’m just so thankful that none of the people living on this reservation died,” said Joseph Brings Plenty, the chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Tribal officials estimate that the storm brought down about 3,000 utility poles, causing extensive failures. Many residents stayed in their homes as they lost water and power and as temperatures plummeted, with wind chills reaching 20 degrees below zero.