SUPAI, Ariz. – People on trees waiting for flood waters to recede, forming human chains, and hiking barefoot to safety were among the stories of survival shared by tourists following a flash flood in Havasupai.
Christian Raftopol documented his terrifying experienced during a the flash flood. He spoke with 12 News about it Monday via Facebook messenger.
“All of this is surreal to us,” Raftopol said.
For Raftopol of New York City, experiences like this were out of the ordinary, much less watching the clear blue waters of Havasu Creek and Falls turn into mud.
Fear took over the East Coast native when in 10 minutes, the water rose and he crossed a bridge to safety thinking his girlfriend and their siblings were behind him.
“I turn around and the bridge is gone and I don’t know where they are,” Raftopol said.
Luckily, they all reunited. Then they proceeded to trudge two miles across waist-deep, debris-filled water and eroded trails to Supai Village.
“Three out of the four people in my party were barefoot. They all had blisters from hiking in two days before,” Raftopol said.
Tourists evacuated after this July 11 monsoon storm shared their stories of survival on social media.
Julie Eichner talked about climbing a tree, waiting for the water to recede and forming human chains. She thanked a stranger from Queen Creek for leading her group to safety.
Sheri Trager Weiss narrates her video shared on Facebook. Weiss is heard in awe of the new chocolate falls flooding the canyon.
“All of these are not waterfalls. This is water coming out of the side of the Grand Canyon, flash flooding right now. That is not a waterfall,” Weiss said.
Scott Eichner posted that after surviving it all, he discovered the storm also took a toll on his ride home.
“… relief was not among the feelings I had when I saw this,” Eichner wrote on Facebook.
The post referred to a photo of Eichner’s rental car covered in rocks and with a broken front window, luckily, it was insured.
Luck wasn’t the only thing that came into play for the 200 campers who lived through this flash flood. Quick action by emergency crews and tribe members was life-saving. According to the Havasupai Tribe, every tourist made it out.
“I was certain there was going to be a few casualties,” Raftopol said.
Though it was a close call, Raftopol said Havasupai was an oasis he planned to visit again, just “not during monsoon season.”
Monday afternoon, tribal spokesperson, Abbie Find, told 12 News emergency management crews were assessing the safety of the area, so the campground was closed until at least Friday, possibly longer.
Fink said because the trail down to Supai from Hilltop remained closed, locals at the village were getting supplies via helicopter.