Supai Canyon Evacuated All Safe

Supai Canyon Successfully Evacuated—Eleven Unaccounted Individuals Located Safely

Mooney Falls

This is the trail to the bottom of the Mooney Falls waterfall YouTube member: astecker filmed before the Havasupai flash floods.



Flagstaff, Arizona August 19, 2008, 4:40 p.m. - The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that the eleven individuals previously reported missing in the Supai Canyon flood area have been located and all are safe. As a precaution, Sheriff’s Office officials are currently cross checking information with those who were evacuated with those who left the area through the exit checkpoint over the past few days.

As of today, approximately 426 people have been evacuated by helicopter from the canyon. Currently, no fatalities or serious injuries resulting from this incident have been reported to the Sheriff’s Office. Some residents of the Supai Village chose not to be evacuated and remained in the canyon.

On Monday, a fly-over was conducted and officials found no one in need of assistance. Water levels in the area are still too high to conduct an extensive ground search, but search and rescue personnel from several agencies plan to do a more extensive search when the water levels subside.

As of 2:00 p.m. on Monday, campers and tourists evacuated from Supai Village and the campground had been airlifted to the Hualapai Hilltop area. Evacuees in need of services were transported to the American Red Cross evacuation reception center in Peach Springs, Arizona. Currently, the air evacuation operation has been suspended. Equipment and personnel are available in the event circumstances change.

Survivor Dance - Havasu Flood 2008

These two spent 2 days being rescued from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This video is from YouTube member: YulesM. They got out of the canyon alive and this is what was caught on tape after they realized they were now out of harms way.




The Red Cross reception center housed eight residents of Supai Canyon on Monday evening. An additional sixteen elders are staying at the local lodge and the Red Cross is providing meals for them. All of the evacuated tourists have left the area. Supai Canyon residents should be able to return to their homes today or tomorrow. All lifeline systems are currently operating in the canyon, including water, power and telephone services.

The Hualapai Tribe has received three truckloads of donated supplies from St. Mary’s Food Bank and the National Relief Charities. Items include meal kits, blankets, water, Gatorade and hygiene products.

The Red Cross Disaster Assessment Team will be flying down into the canyon today to conduct a damage assessment. Reports indicate that there has been damage to the campground and trail system below the campground.

The Destruction of Havasupai

Video of pictures from YouTube member: kaggieguy. YouTube member kaggieguy catches on film the Havasupai flood. Check out his website Havasupai Flood website for more information photos and videos. Read about his story of living thru this dangerous flash flood.



Agencies involved in the evacuation, search and rescue, and relief effort include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Havasupai Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Department of Public Safety, National Park Service, Arizona National Guard, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Coconino County Emergency Management, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. Mary’s Food Bank, National Relief Charities, U. S. Forest Service, Coconino County Community Emergency Response Teams, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, and Coconino County Search and Rescue. Source: Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

Havasupai Multi Day Tours

Havasu Creek

This up close video of the recent Havasu Creek flooding is from YouTube member: jonopem.



People book Havasupai multi day tours months in advance. Some tours in busy times of the year could be booked years in advance. These adventure tour companies have experienced trip leaders. Check the internet to find Havasupai Hiking and backpacking tours. I wonder how many companies are allowed to run tours at Havasupai.

Havasu Creek Flooding

This is another video from YouTube member: jonopem. He hired a private tour company for his visit at Havasupai. This is what is looked like behind his tour campground.



I know the local canyon shuttle driver Betty Price. She runs the best Grand Canyon area shuttle business. Oh yea she is also friendly, and full of information. I have used her for her Paria Canyon shuttle service many times. She services the Lake Powell/Lee’s Ferry/Grand Canyon area. Her phone number is 928-355-2252. She would never put me in harms way!

My brother Steve Kosednar (Grand Canyon Pro Hiker) shared this with me: "this same thing has happened b/4 so the pro rafters know not to visit Supai during flood season....". Steve sent me this Grand Canyon river guide link of what happened in Havasu back in 1997: Parked in a No Parking Zone.

Steve also sent me links to flash flood pictures taken by Airwest Helicopter/Merlin Manakaja. Havasupai flood slideshow

Havasu Falls 8/17/08

Video from: jonopem captures the power of mother nature. The video shows Havasu Falls on 8/17/08 at about 8 AM.

Search and Rescue Supai Canyon

Havasu Canyon Flash Flood 8-17-08

New video is in of the dramatic Havasupai flash flooding. YouTube member: jonnytang filmed a fast moving flash flood while visiting the canyon. The first seconds of the video show the water flowing over the the ridge.



Search and Rescue Efforts Continue in Supai Canyon

Flagstaff, Arizona - As of 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18, 2008, an additional 85 people were airlifted from the Supai Village to the Hualapai Hilltop area. Individuals with personal vehicles drove to the American Red Cross Evacuation Reception Center located at the Tribal Gymnasium in Peach Springs Arizona. Transportation was provided for people who did not have vehicles parked at Hilltop. Air evacuation efforts resumed Monday morning, consisting of a total of seven helicopters from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the National Park Service and the Arizona National Guard. A helicopter was on standby status today until 2:00 p.m., in the event any additional community members chose to leave the area.

Anyone who hiked out of Supai Canyon after this event and has not spoken with law enforcement officials is asked to call the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 774-4523. Rescuers will continue to focus on determining if there are any missing individuals and conducting an extensive air and ground search in an attempt to locate them. Due to existing conditions, Supai is currently closed to all campers and tourists.

It is believed that a number of weather related events contributed to the flash flooding conditions in Supai Canyon. According to the National Weather Service, the Coconino Plateau experienced significant rainfall on Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon, and again Sunday afternoon. It is believed that the flooding in Supai late Saturday night and early Sunday was the result of heavy rainfall on Saturday afternoon. Water levels in the canyon remained high through Monday morning due to additional rainfall that fell on Sunday. Total rainfall for the period of Friday through Sunday was relatively light in the Supai area, but as high as six inches 20 to 40 miles upstream from Supai. A drying trend is expected through the week with only isolated showers expected.

Anyone concerned about friends or family members who may have been evacuated as a result of this event may contact the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org and click on “Registers” and “Safe and Well”. Source: Coconino County Sheriff’s Office

Rescue Operation Videos

It's 2 AM Arizona time in the morning and video has just come in of the massive Supai, Arizona flash flooding.

Havasupai Flash Flooding

This is dramatic video of the flash flooding at the famous Havasu Falls taken by YouTube member: astecker.



Dramatic Blackhawk Helicopter Rescue Video

This is video of the Blackhawk Helicopter rescue of the first of many hikers and campers who needed help down at Havasupai Canyon. The video shows the rescue of YouTube member: astecker and him getting in the helicopter.



This is the Blackhawk Helicopter flying out of the Supai, Arizona village to the Hualapai Hilltop rescue staging area.



At this time no reports of any injuries or deaths from this the flash flooding.

Very sad note: ABC 15 is reporting that campers and hikers are missing. The rescue operation is still in operation. Check back for updates.

Also you can check the Havasupai Tribe website for information.

Havasupai Flash Flood

Havasupai Falls

This is YouTube video of Havasupai Falls - Supai, Arizona posted three days ago before the flash floods.



Havasupai Flash Flood Video

This is YouTube file footage from August 2006, of a dramatic Havasupai flash flood. This same area is where the flooding is hitting right now.



As of 10:30 PM Arizona time 1,039 news articles of the Supai/Havasupai flash flood have been posted on the internet. Below is the lasted Supai News and news from the National Weather Service. Also on the sidebar you will see news the latest Supai/Grand Canyon flash flood news feeds.

Supai Flash Flood Update August 17, 2008 11:29 PM

DUE TO FLOODING SUNDAY 8-17-08 - PLEASE DO NOT COME TO SUPAI WITHOUT FIRST CONTACTING THE TOURISM OFFICE AT 928-448-2121 or 2141. THEY OPEN AT 7AM.

SUPAI WAS EVACUATED TODAY. INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED BY THE TRIBE AS THEY GET IT.

Tribal Office
Phone Number: 1-928-448-2731
P.O. Box 10 Supai AZ, 86435

Lodge
Phone Number: 1-928-448-2111 or 1-928-448-2201
P.O. Box 159 Supai AZ, 86435

Tourism Office
1-928-448-2121, 1-928-448-2141,
1-928-448-2174, or 1-928-448-2180
P.O. Box 160 Supai AZ, 86435

Coconino County Sheriff's Office
911 E. Sawmill Rd.
Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001
Phone Number: (928) 774-4523 / 800-338-7888

Airwest Helicopters - Contracted provider of regular helicopter service to Supai from Haulapai Hilltop
Phone Number: 1-623-516-2790

Grand Canyon National Park Media Information
Maureen Oltrogge Phone Number: (928) 638-7779

News Updates

Tonight the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that rescuers are attempting to locate visitors who were staying at the Supai Camp Ground located above Havasu Falls and helicopter them out of the canyon to a safe landing zone in Supai Village. Campers and full time residents are being flown to the Hualapai Hilltop by Arizona Department of Public Safety Helicopters and Arizona National Guard Black Hawk Helicopters. The evacuees are being bussed to an American Red Cross shelter located at the Hualapai Tribal Gymnasium in Peach Springs Arizona.

The road into Havasupai is closed at Route 66 and Indian Road 18 leading into Hualapai Hilltop. Please note that residents and campers are not be allowed to access Supai Village and the Havasupai Indian Reservation at this time.

Also tonight ABC 15 Phoenix TV is reporting that authorities are saying some people who were believed to be in the Havasupai Canyon at the time of the flooding are unaccounted for.

Local Weather Warnings

FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
630 PM MST SUN AUG 17 2008

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
WEST CENTRAL COCONINO COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL ARIZONA...

* UNTIL MIDNIGHT MST

* AT 630 PM MST...EXTENSIVE FLOODING CONTINUES ON CATARACT CREEK
IN SUPAI VILLAGE...WITH ADDITIONAL STORM RUNOFF EXPECTED OVERNIGHT
TONIGHT. ADDITIONAL HEAVY RAIN OF UP TO 3 INCHES FELL IN THE
HEADWATERS OF CATARACT CREEK TODAY...AND A FAILURE OF REDLANDS
DAM ON CATARACT CREEK WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MORE EXTENSIVE FLOODING
OVERNIGHT. EVACUATIONS OF RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ARE ONGOING IN
THE SUPAI AREA.

* LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
SUPAI...HUALAPAI HILLTOP TRAIL DOWN TO SUPAI...CATARACT CREEK...
HAVASU CREEK TO THE CONFLUENCE WITH THE COLORADO RIVER...IN
ADDITION TO RED LAKE WASH...MONUMENT WASH...AND OTHER SMALL
STREAMS IN THE UPPER CATARACT CREEK DRAINAGE AREA NEAR WILLIAMS.

FLOOD WATERS FROM HEAVY RAINS FRIDAY THROUGH TODAY CONTINUE TO MOVE
DOWN CATARACT CREEK FROM NORTH OF WILLIAMS AND WEST OF VALLE TO
SUPAI VILLAGE. IN ADDITION...A FAILURE OF REDLANDS DAM ON CATARACT
CREEK WILL CONTRIBUTE TO HEAVIER FLOW ON CATARACT CREEK. THE FLOOD
WATERS ARE EXPECTED TO CREST OVERNIGHT. DO NOT TRAVEL TO OR FROM
HUALAPAI HILLTOP TO SUPAI TODAY.

FLOODING IS OCCURRING OR IS IMMINENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE RELATIVE TO STREAMS...RIVERS...OR CREEKS WHICH CAN BECOME
KILLERS IN HEAVY RAINS. CAMPERS AND HIKERS SHOULD AVOID STREAMS OR
CREEKS. Source: National Weather Service

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Get complete coverage of Peach Springs, Arizona news, sports, weather, traffic, celebrity, entertainment, Arizona news, information, breaking news stories and live video.

SUPAI IS CLOSED TO VISITORS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE TRIBE IS NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL BE OPEN AGAIN FOR VISITORS. IF YOU HAVE A RESERVATION PLEASE CALL THE TOURISM OFFICE IF POSSIBLE - PHONE NUMBER: 928-448-2121 or 2141. THE OFFICE OPENS AT 7AM.

Tribal Office
1-928-448-2731
P.O. Box 10 Supai AZ, 86435

Hotel
1-928-448-2111 or 1-928-448-2201
P.O. Box 159 Supai AZ, 86435

Tourism Office
1-928-448-2121, 1-928-448-2141,
1-928-448-2174, or 1-928-448-2180
P.O. Box 160 Supai AZ, 86435

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Havasupai Helicopter Rescue

On September 30, 2007 Erika from Phoenix, Arizona broke her right leg in 3 places down at Havasupai deep inside the Grand Canyon. This is dramatic footage of this dangerous rescue of an injured person.



The best way to reach Havasupai is from Highway 66, six miles east of Peach Springs, Arizona onto Indian Route 18, a 64 mile road to Hualapai Hilltop. From the Hilltop parking lot there is an eight mile trail down to Supai Village. This trail may be traveled either by foot or horse.