October 2010 Flash Flood Update
The Havasupai Reservation experienced severe floodings on October 3-5, 2010. The floods caused damages and destruction of trails, bridges, homes, community facilities,campgrounds and recreation areas in Supai Canyon. Several animals were also lost.
The Havasupai Tribal Council closed Supai Village and the surrounding areas to visitors INDEFINITELY until recovery, repair, rehabilitation and mitigation work is completed.
The Havasupai Tribal Council, the governing body of the Havasupai Tribe officially declared a State of Disaster on the Havasupai Reservation. The Havasupai Tribe is requesting support, technical and financial assistance from any and all local, county, State and Federal government and non-government agencies and/or organizations to help the Tribe in our efforts to recover, repair, rehabilitate Havasu Canyon and implement pre-disaster mitigation.
In addition, the Havasupai Tribal is requesting technical and financial assistance to help Havasupai Tribal members, Supai residents and businesses in Supai who are experiencing immediate and extended loss of employment and income.
For information on how you can assist the Tribe, please contact:
Bernadine Jones
Chairwoman
Havasupai Tribal Council
P O Box 10
Supai, Arizona 86435
Tel: 928 448 2371 Fax: 928 448 2551
Email: htchair@havasupai-nsn.gov
James Williams
Superintendent
BIA Truxton Canon Agency
P O Box 37
Valentine, Arizona 86037
Tel: 928 769 2286 Fax: 928 769 2444
Email: james.williams@bia.gov
The Havasupai Tribe would like to acknoweldge and thanks the following:
1. Havasupai Tribe employees, on-duty BIA Law Enforcement officers, resident volunteers and Airwest Helicopters for the successful evacuation of tourists and residents.
2. Airwest Helicopters for conducting flood spotting reconnaisances from Sunday to Thursday, October 3-6, 2010.
3. Coconino County Sheriff Department for being on "STAND-BY" during the emergency.
4. Arizona Geology Survey for conducting a preliminary damage assessment immediately after the event.
5. Arizona Department of Emergency Management(ADEM), the United States Army Corps of Engineers(USACE) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Truxton Canon Agency (BIA TCA) Division of Forestry for conducting preliminary damage assessments(PDA) on 10/26/2010 and 10/29/2010.
In response to the Havasupai Tribal Council request for assistance:
On October 29, 2010 Governor Janice K. Brewer State of Arizona requested a 30-day time extension to request a major disaster declaration for the Havasupai Reservation.
On November 9, 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the 30 day time extension request.
On November 30, 2010, Governor Brewer filed a request with President Barrack Obama asking for a federal Major Disaster Declaration for the Havasupai Reservation.
On November 19,2010, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) issued a resolution to request FEMA to provide assistance to the Havasupai Tribe.
On December 21, 2010, the President declared a major disaster.
On January 27, 2011, The Havasupai Tribe signed a grant agreement with FEMA .
On January 28-29, 2011, 500 bales of hays were delivered to Hualapai Hilltop in response to the Havasupais request for assistance. This donation from the Arizona Game & Wildlife, is a joint effort of ADEM, Arizona Game & Wildlife, Swift Transportation and Southwest Farm Services.
On February 07, 2011, the U.S. Small Business Administration declared Declaration of Economic Injury .