ANATH, Utah — An evacuation order was issued late Saturday for several communities in the Navajo Nation due to possible flooding from expected record-setting high water on the San Juan River.
The Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management issued the Notice of Evacuation for the following communities:
- Bluff
- Montezuma Creek
- Aneth, Utah
“Catastrophic flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected along the San Juan River between Four Corners and Mexican Hat. This is an emergency situation!," the Navajo Police Department posted to social media.
A total of 150 people are estimated to be evacuated overnight from just the Montezuma Creek and Aneth communities.
The San Juan River was forecast to crest at around midnight at the Four Corners, before reaching Montezuma Creek early Sunday and then cresting between Bluff and Mexican Hat on Sunday afternoon and peaking at Mexican Hat by 5 p.m. Sunday around 36 feet, which will exceed all-time record levels.
Volunteers come to Hurricane to help following floods:
Shelters have been set up at the Aneth Community School at 162 San Juan County Road #466 in Montezuma Creek and San Juan High School.
The police department said the160 Bridge and Montezuma Creek Bridge are closed.
"Be prepared to be away from your home for multiple days," officials warned. "Bring necessary medications, identification, important documents, personal hygiene items, change of clothes, pillows, blankets, cell phones and chargers."
The Navajo Nation has been hit hard by flooding this week, with homes and roads damaged or destroyed by the high water that followed storms that moved across Utah.