Navajo Nation Communities Suffer Severe Flooding as San Juan River Rises

Navajo Nation communities in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are dealing with severe flooding after several days of heavy rain sent the San Juan River and local washes over their banks.

The rain began Wednesday, Oct. 21, and flooding peaked Thursday and Friday, according to the Associated Press. The Navajo Nation is under a state of emergency declared by its Commission on Emergency Management, with President Buu Nygren's concurrence, the Navajo Times reports.

In Dennehotso, Ariz., Navajo Police and the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management rescued 30 people from seven families on Thursday, using an all-terrain rescue vehicle and an Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter, the Navajo Times reported. In Rock Point, Chinle Wash spilled over U.S. Highway 191 north of the chapter house.

At Shiprock, N.M., the San Juan River reached 17.3 feet Friday night, above its 15.5-foot flood stage, according to National Weather Service figures reported by the Navajo Times. Nygren and Shiprock Chapter Vice President Debra Yazzie issued an evacuation alert for families along the river. "Do not wait to make your evacuation," Navajo Police Deputy Chief Donnie Kee told the paper.

Downstream in Utah, the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management ordered evacuations late Saturday for Bluff, Montezuma Creek and Aneth, with about 150 people expected to leave Montezuma Creek and Aneth, KSL reported. The National Weather Service warned of "major, possibly catastrophic, flooding" between Four Corners and Mexican Hat, where the river was forecast to crest Sunday evening above its all-time record. Evacuees are being sheltered at Aneth Community School in Montezuma Creek and San Juan High School in Blanding. San Juan County, Utah, ordered the nearby town of Bluff evacuated Sunday night as the river rose, then lifted the order at 5 a.m. Monday, with several properties on the town's east side still under water, KSL reported.

Roads and bridges have been damaged across the Nation, including the bridge on N91 near Pinto Tank in the Torreon/Star Lake Chapter, which the Navajo Times reports was destroyed. Navajo Nation Controller Sean McCabe told chapters they can use emergency funds and emergency purchasing rules for shelter, food, water, debris removal and repairs, the paper reported. The Hopi Tribe also declared an emergency after flooding displaced families in Moenkopi.

Floodwater swamped the wastewater plant in Bloomfield, N.M., sending untreated sewage into the river, and San Juan County officials warn that floodwater may carry fuel and sewage. The county has reported no deaths or serious injuries.

Central Consolidated School District, based in Shiprock, has closed its schools Monday and Tuesday. Officials expect another storm around Thursday.

Families needing help can call the Navajo Nation Emergency Operations Center at 505-422-6597. In Utah, evacuation help is available through the Montezuma Creek EMS Station at 435-651-3754.