CHINLE, AZ — A dire situation is ongoing in the Navajo Nation as runoff from the spring snowmelt, combined with crumbling infrastructure, is leading to flooding in Chinle.
According to the Navajo Times, a berm made nearly two decades ago to keep water from a nearby washout of the Jurassic Park neighborhood in Chinle failed Friday afternoon due to the force of the runoff.
More than 300 people have been affected by the flooding with some evacuating and others refusing to leave their homes.
4.26.23 UPDATE: PUBLIC NOTICE FROM THE NAVAJO NATION EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER (EOC) FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE RECENT FLOODING IN CHINLE, AZ. pic.twitter.com/ntjG6o0xae
— Navajo Police Department (@Navajopd) April 26, 2023
David Smith, a reporter for the Navajo Times that grew up in Chinle, tells ABC 15 this is the worst flooding he's ever seen.
"I watched grandparents being carried out of their homes," he says. "We don't have much on the reservation, and to lose your homes is really rough. To lose your animals, your livestock. That's just devastating because not only are we losing homes, but we're losing our way of life."
The American Red Cross is at the Chinle Chapter house for families that need assistance.
The Chinle Chapter is also providing food, water, and shelter for those affected.
ABC15 also spoke with the President of the Navajo Nation, Dr. Buu Nygren who says, "There's just so much damage to property and people".
"We started sandbagging and made a little assembly line," said Adrian Thompson.
Thompson was one of many volunteers that rushed to try and make a repair on the berm that broke.
"I was soaking wet," said Thompson. "We actually had a couple of individuals that night that collapsed from exhaustion."
He said what started as a small breach, only grew. Heavy equipment was ultimately needed and was brought in by Saturday night.
President Nygren says they are working on repairing the berm and building a backup, but leadership is focused on a long-term plan with help from some available federal funds.
"I was able to sign off on about $2 million to really try to find that permanent solution," said President Nygren.
He said he signed off on those in front of the response team to show they are taking action.
