The Hopi Nation is in a state of emergency this week as tribal officials assess the damage from last weekend’s floods and brace for more storms. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports.
Homes were damaged and families evacuated after a flash flood tore down a wash early on Sunday morning, but Hopi officials report no injuries or loss of life. The flood also damaged bridges and broke through earthen dams. In other locations, residents dealt with mudslides and collapsed ceilings.
Paul Saufkie, the incident commander of the response team, says, "The water is going down, but we’re also monitoring the weather and it looks like we’re going to be hit with some more rain Friday on Saturday." Saufkie warns residents to be prepared for more flooding. Sandbags can be picked up from village administration offices. He asks people to stay off the bridges when a flood occurs.
The current executive order declaring a state of emergency will expire on Friday unless an extension is needed.
