Flooding leaves chapters awash with problems

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — A steady downpour of rain this past weekend has left some Navajo Nation residents in Eastern Agency without power or stranded due to road washouts, according to Navajo Department of Emergency Management.

Alamo, a satellite community southeast of Ramah, N.M., received heavy rain Sunday, which continued through Tuesday morning.

Johnny Johnson, program specialist with Emergency Management, said the rain caused significant damage to the Alamo water line. Navajo Emergency Management is coordinating efforts with Socorro County Emergency Management to provide goods and services to Alamo Chapter.

Mariano Lake in Eastern Agency suffered road washouts, which the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisted the community in repairing, according to Selena Manychildren, Emergency Management public information officer.

Torreon chapter property was damaged when a warehouse flooded and floodwater overflowed two bridges. Two dams in the area are at capacity, according to Johnson.

The Lake Valley community was in the dark due to a blackout caused by floodwaters downing powerlines. Emergency Management crews from Shiprock and Crownpoint were on the scene assisting the chapter with delivery of a generator, Manychildren said.

The Senior Citizens Center was closed; however, service to elderlies was moved to Crownpoint and continued from there.

Several families were stranded in the southern portion of Manuelito, Manychildren said, however, essentials were delivered by Red Cross and Manuelito Chapter.

The community of Becenti, north of Crownpoint, suffered road washouts and the Authorized Local Emergency Response Team (ALERT) was activated.

In Pueblo Pintado east of Crownpoint, water overflowed a bridge, Manychildren said, resulting in 30 families impacted by flooding and one evacuated Sunday night. BIA repaired the road, however, with rain continuing to fall past midnight Sunday, flood waters again threatened to overflow the bridge.

In Arizona, Lupton, Houck, Whitecone, Ganado and Pinon received heavy rain Sunday night with some roads washed out, according to Johnson. More rain is anticipated.

Manychildren said for immediate assistance, call the local Department of Public Safety or local chapter government.

Emergency Management and Public Safety advise residents to be alert to possible flooding from thunderstorms passing through the area. Sudden, hard downpours can lead to flash flooding. Residents are encouraged to report road washouts, flooding and minor damage to their local chapters.

The departments also issued some safety tips:

• Never cross a flooded road or bridge. Either let the flooding subside or seek an alternate route.
  
  
• Always be prepared for unexpected delays. Take plenty of water and snacks along in the event of becoming stranded. Always carry blankets, shovels, flashlights and extra clothing.
  
  
• Think about what you may need if you get delayed due to the weather and be prepared when you leave home.
  
  
• If your housing area tends to flood, prepare sandbags to keep floodwaters away. Be ready to relocate to temporary shelter and have essentials (clothing, toiletries such as toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.) ready just in case.
  
  
• Begin storing non-perishable foods and water and plan ahead so that you have sufficient prescription medications on hand to accommodate weather delay.
  
  
• Watch out for your neighbor, who might be elderly or handicapped and need further assistance. Call the local chapter or Community Health Representative if unable to provide assistance.

Persons needing sandbags are asked to call (928) 871-7975 or 871-6892, Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management.

Due to the issue of liability, neither tribal programs nor Emergency Management will pull vehicles out of mudholes, according to Manychildren.