Leupp homes evacuated
Old Route 2 closed due to flooding

Independent staff

GALLUP — Navajo tribal emergency officials reported flooding south of Leupp Tuesday night, which caused the evacuation of a number of families in that area.

As a result, Old Route 2 the highway that goes to Winslow has been shut down.

There was no report of how many families had to be evacuated but tribal officials said that families were told to go stay with friends and relatives.

The families were still unable to get back home on Thursday although flood waters were receding. With another storm front heading into this area sometime Friday, tribal officials said it may be not be until sometime next week when the flooding in the Leupp area goes down enough to allow some of the families to return home.

The latest flood problem is a continuation of the mud emergency that has been plaguing more than 20 Navajo communities - all in the western and central portions of the reservation - over the past month.

Salina Manychildren, spokesperson for the emergency efforts, said law enforcement officials had expected that the emergency efforts would end last Friday but a new storm front hit the area over the weekend.

The only area that was affected to any extent was the area around Leupp and the Leupp Dam, which is still holding with water backed up a mile into Canyon Diablo.

Manychildren reported that there were no injuries reported because of the latest problems and no one was in eminent danger.

A flash flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday morning into Saturday for areas in Arizona including the Grand Canyon and the Coconino Plateau. The rains are expected to continue eastward to the Arizona border late Friday and early Saturday, possibly causing flash floods and muddy road conditions.

Tribal officials are advising people who live in remote areas or in areas where the roads become muddy when it rains to make preparations in case the roads become impassable.

If you plan to travel, tribal officials are advising that you take blankets, flashlights, extra batteries, matches, food, water, extra clothing, and extra supplies for children.

Families should also have a means of communicating such as cell phones. Families should also tell neighbors of their plans so if they fail to arrive on time, rescue operations can be started.

Families are also advised to have an adequate supply of medication, food, water, firewood, coal, pet foods, livestock feed and hay on hand in case they are stranded for several days.

The tribe's Emergency Operations Center will continue to be manned during the weekend and until the emergency conditions are deemed to be over.

It's located on the second floor of the Navajo Fire Station in Window Rock. Emergency calls can be placed to (928) 871-7648 or 871-7578.

A number of chapters in the western portion of the reservation will also be handling emergency calls but many of these will only be manned during regular business hours Monday through Friday.

The center has established a list of priorities which will be followed in this period.

The first priority is people who need medical attention, who need medications, the handicapped, the elderly and children.

The second priority is road maintenance and transportation to allow immediate access in case of an emergency. The third priority is the need for water, food, wood and coal. The fourth priority is livestock, feed and hay supplies.

During the stormy weather, tribal officials are recommending that families stay where they are and not attempt to do any traveling because of the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas, in the arroyos and crossing at the arroyos.

Bridges and culverts may not be safe to cross during a flash flood.

Tribal officials also urge travelers to be alert to weather conditions in the nearby mountain because this also may result in flash floods even though it may be dry in your area.

Never cross a road that is completely flooded, even if you have reason to think that the water is not very deep.

If you need sandbags to protect your home from flood waters, sand bags are available at the Apache County District Office in Chinle, the Kayenta District Police office, the Leupp District Police Office, the Department of Emergency Management in Window Rock (above the fire station) and the Tuba City District Police Office.