A severe flash flooding event in the Havasupai Falls area in the Grand Canyon that killed one woman and required an Arizona National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to evacuate 100+ people was a captured as it developed by a group of hikers.
At 12:45 pm on August 22nd, a weather gauge at Cataract Creek showed water levels at one foot high, 15-minutes later the water level measured at 8-feet. National Weather Service reports the area received between 1 and 2 inches of rain within 60-90 minutes.
“This is a view of the flash flood growing from our perspective about a mile up the canyon from the village of Supai, Arizona. These flood waters rushed down this (normally) dry canyon to join Havasu Creek at the bottom, making it an even more destructive force.” –Sarah Pacheco
Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs:
On August 23-24, 2024, the Arizona National Guard provided Blackhawk support to evacuate 104 tourist and tribal members out of a canyon after flood waters impacted the Havasupai Reservation community and tourists visiting the Havasupai Falls.
DEMA was just one of the players involved in a multi-coordinated rescue and evacuation effort.
The teamwork conducted, and ongoing coordination, reflects how local, state, and federal resources strengthen responses in times of crisis.
Thank you to all parties involved for your unwavering dedication and commitment to helping our communities in need.
