Construction crews have begun a major flood mitigation project north of Flagstaff. It follows two devastating wildfires last summer that put some 1,500 homes in danger of catastrophic flooding.
Workers are digging a pair of massive canals through the Wupatki Trails neighborhood to channel floodwaters. Last summer, it was one of the most heavily impacted areas below the eastern slopes of the San Francisco Peaks. On the nearby Coconino National Forest 11 crews made up of about 100 people are restoring alluvial fans and completing other mitigation work. It’s all funded by more than $90 million approved by Congress in last year’s Omnibus spending bill.
"My hope is that for people who live right here, these folks that live in these homes, that the next time there is a big rainstorm for an hour up on the hill it’s not going to ruin their lives anymore," said Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, who advocated for the funding and toured some of the work Thursday.
So far crews have repaired four of the nine watersheds on the peaks that were scorched by the 26,000-acre Pipeline Fire, but Coconino County officials say a significant amount of work remains ahead of this year’s monsoon season. Flooding threatens an estimated $1.3 billion worth of property in the area.
Coconino County flood managers have brought together many of the same construction experts who worked on flood mitigation following the 2010 Schultz Fire.
"What you see today is recovery in action. We have a ways to go but we have accomplished in a record-breaking time the essential help we need to develop the flood mitigation efforts for these communities," said Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman.
Last year’s Tunnel Fire destroyed 31 homes and forced about 1,000 people to evacuate. Nearly two months later, residents evacuated again during the Pipeline Fire, which later caused 45 major flooding events and repeated closures of Highways 89 and 180.
