Havasupai Tribe declares disaster after flooding hits popular spot

Friday, July 27, 2018  

The Havasupai Tribe will be seeking federal assistance after flooding caused significant damage on the reservation in Arizona.

The tribe already shut down a popular tourist area at Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon in response to the storms earlier this month. Damage estimates are expected to top $250,000, The Associated Press reported.

"The unstable and dangerous conditions of the affected areas and our tribe's limited resources necessitate the need for federal assistance," Chairwoman Muriel Coochwytewa said in a news release, the AP reported.

Massive flooding hit the reservation on July 11 and July 12, prompting an evacuation of about 200 tourists from campgrounds n, according to news reports. The tribe spent about $25,000 on the effort, which including providing food and clothing to those affected, the AP said.

Thank you to the emergency response personnel for responding during turbulent weather this week to evacuate stranded hikers & tourists in Havasupai Canyon!@BIAOJS - Truxton Canon Agency, Havasupai Indian Tribe, AZ Department of Public Safety, Airwest, & Papillion Air Services pic.twitter.com/EVALPoK0gN

— Indian Affairs (@USIndianAffairs) July 13, 2018

Still, more than 220 families who live on the reservation are in need of water and food, 3TV/CBS 5 reported. The St. Mary's Food Bank sent donations there last week -- they had to be flown by helicopter to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

"The food was airlifted pallet by pallet until food safely reached the families," the organization said in a July 17 post on Twitter.

The tribe depends heavily on tourism for revenue. With the campground closed through August 31, a donation has been set up to assist with rebuilding efforts.

Read More on the Story:
Havasupai Tribe issues disaster declaration due to extensive flood damage (The Associated Press July 27, 2018)
Flooding closes Havasupai campgrounds until August, leaves families without food or water (3TV/CBS 5 July 26, 2018)
St. Mary's Food Bank helping those on Havasupai Reservation (KSAZ July 17, 2018)
The Chaos of a Flash Flood at Havasupai Falls (Outside July 16, 2018)
Flash flood closes Havasupai Falls area of Grand Canyon; 200 tourists evacuated (The Arizona Republic July 12, 2018)
Flooding forces evacuations of Havasupai campers (ABC15 July 12, 2018)