Hopi Tribe Declares Emergency as Floods Damage Homes Across Northern Arizona, Moenkopi Wash Hits Record Level

The Hopi Tribe has declared a state of emergency after persistent heavy rainfall and widespread flooding swept through northern Arizona. The declaration followed an advisory dated Oct. 22 from Hopi Chairman Lamar B. Keevama and Vice Chairman Mikah H. Kewanimptewa Sr., reported by The Arizona Republic.

Damage across Hopi communities

Hopi officials said flash floods caused significant damage to bridges, roadways, homes, utilities, buildings and other structures across multiple communities. The flooding also triggered mudslides and rockslides.

The village of Lower Moenkopi issued its own emergency flooding declaration. The communities listed as affected are Upper Moenkopi, Hotevilla, Bacavi, Old Oraibi, Kykotsmovi, Shungopavi, Mishongnovi, Sipaulovi, Walpi, Sichomovi, Tewa, Keams Canyon and Yu-Weh-Loo Pahki.

Families displaced near Tuba City

In Moenkopi, near Tuba City, floodwaters rushed through the community on Thursday and damaged homes. AZ Family reported that at least eight families were displaced and that the flooding forced helicopter rescues. That report said no injuries were reported.

Fox Weather reported that the Moenkopi Wash near Tuba City reached a record high level of 32.48 feet by 7 p.m. ET on Thursday. The level was nearly 3 feet above the previous record of 29.79 feet.

Navajo Nation also hit by downpours

The Arizona Republic reported that the Navajo Nation is also dealing with torrential downpours. The rain forced schools to let out early and led to closures, evacuations and residents in need of rescue, according to that report.

Flood warning for the Little Colorado River

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff issued a Flood Warning on Oct. 23 at 5:17 a.m. MST for the Little Colorado River from Holbrook to Leupp in Coconino and Navajo counties. The warning is in effect until Oct. 24 at 3:00 a.m. MST. The weather service said flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues and that flooding of the river is imminent or occurring.

Storm system behind the rain

The storms came from a powerful low pressure system moving inland from California combined with tropical moisture from the south. The Storm Prediction Center had raised the risk to enhanced, at Level 3 of 5, earlier in the week.

The Hopi emergency declaration, the Lower Moenkopi declaration and the Flood Warning for the Little Colorado River describe a flood event that spread across roads, homes, utilities and public buildings in northern Arizona, with rescues and displacement reported in Moenkopi and impacts reported across both Hopi and Navajo Nation communities.