Tragedy In Arizona: National Guard Responds To Flooding

Arizona isn't exactly the most aquatic state in the union. Completely landlocked, the state relies on its lakes and reservoirs to bring visitors and residents a little bit of hydration and cool in the brutal summer months.

All that said, it seems impossible for flooding to be the biggest issue in Arizona, but the weekend of August 24th proved us wrong.

Havasupai Flooding

Up north, near our greatest landmark, lies the Havasupai reservation. Lying just outside of Grand Canyon National Park, the reservation is known for its breathtaking waterfalls and reservoirs. On Thursday, August 22nd, however, tragedy struck.

The waters in the reservation began to flood, sending the residents running for their lives, and just trying to survive as the waters reached higher and higher. Drastic action was needed, and Arizona knew just who to send.

Get our free mobile app

The National Guard is Here to Help

Governor Katie Hobbs knew that something needed to be done, so she sent in the one group who could help: the Arizona National Guard. The team got to work immediately, and  began to offer aid and rescue to those stuck in the path of destruction.

Over the course of two days, they provided three different supply drops of food and drinkable water. The rescue mission was like something out of a Mission: Impossible movie, flying helicopters low and dangling ropes to pull people up. All in all, they were able to rescue 104 people, including Sierra Vista residents.

The operation ended at 1:30 pm on Saturday, but their efforts weren't the only ones to make a difference. Members of the Havasupai used their knowledge of their hometown to help escort tourists to safety, playing a massive role in the evacuation.

Flooding can come out of nowhere, covering areas in turbulent waters within minutes. Without the Havasupai and National Guard, no one knows how tragic the event could have been.

[azcentral]

[ABC 15]