The secluded village of Supai, Arizona deep inside the western Grand Canyon was evacuated after an earthen dam burst following a night of heavy rainfall. The 400 residents of the village, members of the Havasupai tribe, were airlifted to safety by the Arizona National Guard using 5 helicopters.
The Supai Canyon and Cataract Canyon, both situated on the floor of the Grand Canyon, were affected by the fast moving water, after the area received more than 8 inches of rain on Friday night. The area has the distinction of still having it’s mail delivered by mule. The richly colored waters and awe-inspiring waterfalls draw thousands of tourists to the area each year.
There were 16 people who were part of a private boating party that had to be rescued after they became stranded on a ledge along the Colorado River. All of those rescued were taken to an area 8 miles from Supai, where they boarded buses for a 60 mile journey to a Red Cross shelter in Peach Springs, southwest of the flood area. Rescue workers continued to search for 15 campers who were still unaccounted for on Monday, August 18.
The Havasupai tribe are the only permanent residents living in the Grand Canyon. They have resided in the area for over 800 years.
A flash flood warning was in effect until early evening because of the threat of more rain. In 2001, flooding near Supai swept a 2-year-old boy and his parents to their deaths while they were hiking.
Check out more photos below of the very picturesque Supai, Arizona. We’ll provide flood photos as they become available.
Developing story…
Source: newsday.com