Grand Canyon Floods Breach Dam, Force Evacuations

Grand Canyon Floods Breach Dam, Force Evacuations

Monday, August 18, 2008 1:48 AM EDT
The Associated Press
By AMANDA LEE MYERS Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) — Days of heavy rains around the Grand Canyon created flooding that breached an earthen dam Sunday and forced helicopters to pluck scores of residents and campers from the gorge. No injuries were immediately reported.

The weather and dam breach caused flooding in a side canyon containing Supai Village where about 400 members of the Havasupai tribe live, said Gerry Blair, a spokesman for the Coconino County Sheriff's Department.

Crews airlifted 170 people from the village and nearby campgrounds. Evacuees were subsequently bused to an American Red Cross reception center, officials said.

There were no confirmed reports of damage in Supai, Blair said.

The dam breaching was only one factor in the flooding, Blair said. The dam isn't a "huge, significant" structure, he said.

Still, a flash flood warning remained in effect. Blair said authorities were still trying to contact some people known to be in the canyon, though the majority were accounted for.

Rescuers plan to return to the flooded area Monday to conduct further searches for people.

Full story here...

Damn Bush did it again

Tax cuts for the rich and dam maintance is not funded