PHOENIX–Days of heavy rains in the Grand Canyon area created flooding that breached an earthen dam yesterday 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 the village of Supai, Ariz., where about 400 members of the Havasupai tribe live and where some of the evacuations occurred, said Gerry Blair of the Coconino County Sheriff's Department.
Supai is on high ground, and many residents and campers chose to stay. Still, a flash flood warning remained in effect, and search and rescue teams planned to stay in the village overnight as a precaution.
Footbridges were washed out after and trees uprooted after the dam breach upstream from Supai, said a spokesperson for Grand Canyon National Park.
About 150 people, including hikers and rafters, fled by helicopter, Blair said late last night. The floor of the Grand Canyon is reachable in many places only by helicopter.
