PHOENIX, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Flooding forced the evacuation of hundreds of American Indians, tourists and hikers from the floor of the Grand Canyon in Arizona Sunday, authorities said.
Heavy rains had caused water to breach a dam south of Supai Village, home to the 300-member Havasupai tribe, located 438 miles northwest of Phoenix, The Arizona Republic reported. No injuries were reported but more rain was expected.
Warren Youngman, assistant special agent in charge for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, said there are 300 tribal members but did not know how many others were in the canyon. However, a lodge official told the newspaper there were about 200 tourists.
Clair Ketchum, a National Weather Service forecaster in Flagstaff, said two days of very heavy rains from thunderstorms dropped significant moisture over the area.
"That's what caused the dam to become overtopped and breached," Ketchum said.
