State Resources Providing Much Needed
Support to Storm Ravaged Communities
Phoenix –
As weather across the state begins to clear and communities start to assess
damage from this week’s storms,
Arizona
emergency management officials continue to respond with life-saving
resources for those affected by the consequences of heavy rain and snow.
The Arizona
Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) has deployed two state incident
management teams - one to Holbrook to coordinate the delivery of county and
state resources to the Hopi and Navajo nations; and one to Wenden to assist La Paz County
in its response to the flooded communities.
For those
areas hardest hit, shelters remain open and critical emergency services,
such as food, water and medical assistance, continue to be offered. Two
mobile command centers have been deployed to provide critical communication
with emergency services officials.
The Arizona
National Guard is repositioning trucks, soldiers and Blackhawk helicopters
to transport supplies and assist local agencies and tribal nations.
Government
agencies are urging people to limit travel to the northern part of the
state. Road conditions, power outages, avalanche risks, parking and a
multitude of other issues have created a very difficult situation for those
living and working in the area. Tourists or those traveling for non-critical
reasons should not attempt travel to affected areas.
“While the
skies are blue, the ground is still wet, and snow and ice have created very
dangerous conditions,” said Lou Trammell, ADEM Director. “For those impacted
by these storms, this is an ongoing and evolving situation. While it may
seem like an ideal opportunity to head north and play in the snow, now is
not the time.”
Arizona
Department of Transportation continues to asses road conditions. Interstate
17 and Interstate 40, as well as US 60 have reopened. US89A between Sedona
and Flagstaff and parts of SR87 remain closed.
For more
information on travel conditions across the state, call 5-1-1 or visit
www.az511.gov.
Although most water
sources in Arizona have not been contaminated by
flooding damage by this storm, some areas served by private wells and small
water systems may have been affected. Some small water systems have issued
boil water orders. Boil water
orders are issued to consumers of water systems when water lines are broken
or there is a known contaminant in the water supply.
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