Hopi chairman declares a state of emergency after extensive floods near Moenkopi | Navajo Hopi observer

MOENKOPI, Arizona – Heavy monsoons that began last week have caused widespread flooding on the Hopi reservation, damaging sewers, telephone lines and other infrastructure, prompting Hopi chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma to declare a state of emergency on July 25.

Moenkopi residents are used to seeing the Moenkopi Wash overflow its banks during the monsoon season, but many watched in awe as the monsoons show off with violence and flooding unprecedented.

Several houses to the west of the village were flooded and village members gathered to help sandbag and help families affected by the flood. Several houses in the east were threatened, but escaped the floods.

Two teams were put together by Hopi Tribal Incident Commander Paul Saufkie to assist with the cleanup.

Team 1 consists of Heavy Equipment Operators from the Hopi Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the Abandoned Mine workers who will be delegated to the Moencopi area.

Team 2, consisting of employees from the Department of Natural Resources Program, District 6, Windmill Crew and several HDOT employees, is located in the Third Mesa area.

The First Mesa area is on hold as possible rainstorms can come later in the week and into the weekend. Both teams have worked diligently to help out in the Polacca areas.

Tribal officials confirmed that at least six homes in lower Moenkopi were affected by flood damage and four families were forced to vacate their homes.

Team 1 will stay in Moencopi to repair roads so families can return to their homes and continue to investigate the area.

Team 2 will be working in the Third Mesa area to assess the area and continue to sandbag community members.

The Münqapi agricultural area suffered severe flooding and some Moenkopi residents were cut off from their homes.

Several local farmers said they were discouraged when they saw their fields wash away, and others expressed concern about the amount of water that flooded their fields when they were recently irrigated.

The heavy rain also damaged numerous homes, according to Hopi Vice Chairman Clark Tenakhongva, with roof leaks and damage to water and sewage reported.

Residents of the Silver Creek Drainage Basin from Shumway to Taylor and Snowflake were asked to evacuate on the night of July 24th as heavy monsoon storms swept the area.

Volunteers and tribal workers dropped sandbags at First Mesa Elementary School (FMES) when water covered the parking lot. However, Tenakhongva said there was no significant damage to the FMES housing complex.

The Floods hit Leupp Road (BIA Route 2), Low Mountain Road (H-60), and State Route 87, according to the Hopi Emergency Response Team.

Navajo Department of Transportation crews repaired washed-out roads in the communities of Thatchi, Navajo Mountain, Oljato, Pine Springs, Torreon, and Burnt Corn.

The following roads will remain open on State Routes 264 and 87 2, Route 4, and Highway 87.

Navajo Nation officials said several regional dams were being screened for integrity, including the Winslow Levve. On July 25, three dams were suspected to have been breached, including one near Low Mountain and one in the Burnside area.

A shelter has been set up for those affected at Holbrook High School at 455 North 8th Avenue in Holbrook. A large shelter is open at the Navajo County Fairgrounds at 404 East Hopi Drive in Holbrook.

The task force can be reached at (928) 401-0461.

KUYI Hopi Radio contributed to this report